On fuel leak at airport CPA, Mobil pushed to expedite probe plan

Penalties and stricter measures will be imposed against the Commonwealth Ports Authority and Mobil Oil Marianas should they fail to submit on time a detailed Site Investigation Plan of the leakage incident at the Saipan International Airport.

Division of Environmental Quality acting director Antonio I. Guerrero yesterday disclosed CPA and Mobil Oil have until the end of the week to submit their SIP.

CPA and Mobil jointly hired the services of Guam-based Allied Pacific Environmental Consulting to investigate the incident. Initial water samples taken from the airport area and its neighboring village showed negative result.

Mr. Guerrero said water samples will be collected and tested on a weekly basis and APEC is closely coordinating with the ports authority and the oil company in determining the extent of possible contamination.

An outline of the SIP has already been forwarded to CPA and Mobil, which will be used to determine cleanup measures.

“Once the DEQ approves the CPA and Mobil Oil SIP, they have 30 days to perform their investigation and find out the extent of contamination, only then can the companies submit a plan for cleanup,” Mr. Guerrero said.

As early as now, the acting director pointed out CPA and Mobil Oil have joint responsibility on the Jan. 1 spillage incident. They were advised to work together to enforce a comprehensive and well-structured plans for clean up of any contamination on the ground and water wells.

To date, DEQ does not foresee any additional enforcement actions and the notice of violation earlier forwarded by the division has been properly addressed, he explained.

“If delays do occur, DEQ has the authority to issue an administrative order that would set strict deadlines and require monetary penalties for missing those (deadlines),” the acting director warned.

Earlier, the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation alerted residents in seven villages in Southern Saipan to refrain from consuming water from their faucets believed to have originated from Isley and Obyan well fields.

CUC officials said residents from Chalan Kanoa, Susupe, San Jose, Chalan Laulau, As Perdido, and airport area are advised not to ingest the water until final results of the water sample study are completed.

Experts are still determining how fuel moves underground and whether it could contaminate the water wells. (EGA)