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Public’s help sought to abate pollution in Tanapag watershed
The protection of the Achugao Watershed requires the help of the local community as some of the sources of pollution and contamination of streams come from livestock or piggeries in the area, according Bureau of Environmental Quality special assistant Jenny Salas.
A Tanapag Assistance Forum was held last month to help low-income families with application forms that will give them access to utilities, sewer, and energy efficient appliances, and home improvements to prevent pollution to Tanapag streams and lagoon.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Achugao Watershed is divided into two-sub catchments that are drained by three streams. Potential pollution sources are outhouses, illegal dumping, piggeries, urban runoff, and livestock grazing.
The EPA has awarded over $4 million to the Commonwealth for environmental protection, according to an EPA statement in August. One of the projects funded is the protection of the Achugao Watershed.
Sediment monitoring for toxics and heavy metals for two of the Achugao Watershed streams are the other operations funded, according to the statement.
The most recent grant of $892,000 in August supplements an earlier award of $3.16 million this year, EPA said.
