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EPA and DEQ sampling starts in contamination probe
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Posted on Feb 11 2006
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has stepped into the investigation of possible contamination of Saipan’s groundwater from hazardous wastes that were allegedly improperly dumped by two companies in As Lito and Finasisu.
Division of Environmental Quality public information officer Reina Camacho underscored the importance of the probe, saying that contamination of groundwater could have adverse health effects among island residents.
Representatives from the EPA and the DEQ on Friday collected groundwater and soil samples from As Lito and Finasisu to determine whether the suspected illegal dumping has contaminated groundwater.
Based on information received by both agencies, Everbright and He Cheng companies in Finasisu and As Lito allegedly disposed hazardous wastes such as dye into their septic systems. He Cheng has ceased business operations, according to DEQ’s Camacho.
Camacho said EPA and DEQ representatives yesterday dug underground for up to 20 feet at the two sites to collect samples that would be subjected to laboratory testing.
The DEQ’s Site Assessment and Remediation Program team, headed by Ray Masga, proceeded to the sites. EPA’s Jim Callier, the DEQ’s in-house technical adviser, also forms part of the investigating team.
Camacho said results of the sampling tests would be disclosed early next week.
