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DEQ cites companies for water violations
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Posted on Feb 09 2006
The Division of Environmental Quality issued four notices of violations to companies that have violated the CNMI Drinking Water Regulation as of the January 2006 compliance period.
Through a media release, DEQ public information officer Reina Camacho cited Saipan Ice and Water Co., Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino, and Holiday Inn for violating the CNMI Drinking Water Regulation for the Maximum Contaminant Level for Total Coliform Bacteria during the compliance period of January 2006.
These water systems, said Camacho, were allowed no more than one positive sample out of the samples they collected in one-month period. It was learned that each of these water systems had more than one positive total coliform sample. “Total coliform is not an immediate health threat, but is an indicator that there is the potential for contamination,” said Camacho.
Camacho added that JG Sablan Ice and Water was also cited because of its failure to monitor for total coliform bacteria in their water system. The CNMI Drinking Water Regulation requires that public water systems must collect a set of repeat samples of water for total coliform bacteria if any of their routine samples are found to be positive. “JG Sablan Ice and Water was required to provide three repeat samples but failed to perform any.”
The companies cited are now expected to provide public notice within 30 days and collect five routine samples in the following month, said Camacho. JG Sablan Water and Ice was required to provide public notice within one year and to collect five routine samples in the following month.
Camacho said if these companies did not comply with the requirements of the division within the required timeframe, they would be fined for $25,000 per violation per day.
The Safe Drinking Water program is available for further information or assistance. Camacho said the program could be reached at their DEQ Gualo Rai Center office along Chalan Pale Arnold from 7:30am to 4:30pm from Monday to Friday.
