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DEQ and U.S. EPA begins collecting groundwater samples
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Posted on May 12 2000
What is the purpose for collecting these ground water samples?
The Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) employees and the United States Environmental Protection (USEPA) representatives will be working together to collect groundwater samples from every drinking water well on Saipan starting today. In the past, limited sampling performed by DEQ has indicated several areas of ground water contamination.
All samples will be analyzed for a group of contaminants called Volatile Organic Chemicals or VOC’s. The VOC’s include such chemicals as trychloroethylene (TCE) and benzene. Samples collected from the Tanapag area will be analyzed for additional contaminants, including the polychlorinated biphenyls.
The cooperation of all public water system providers is requested to accommodate the sampling team when they arrive at the facilities to gather samples from wells. This primarily includes private well owners, especially hotels, garment factories, and some restaurants on the island.
If the samples currently being collected show contamination, the water system will be required to start quarterly sampling immediately. Any public water system that exceeds the CNMI drinking water standard is required to provide public notice to its users and customers.
For more information, call DEQ at 664-8500 or 8501, and ask for the Safe Drinking Water Branch or the public information officer.
