EPA Awards $1.5 Million to Guam Waterworks Authority

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently awarded a $1.5 million grant to the Guam Waterworks Authority to support the development of a comprehensive water and wastewater facility master plan for the island.

The total cost of the project is $5.8 million -- GWA will fund the remaining $4.3 million.

"This project is a critical step in developing a comprehensive, long range plan for strengthening Guam's water and wastewater systems," said John McCarroll, manager for the EPA Pacific Southwest Region’s Pacific Islands Office. "The funding will go a long way toward helping Guam Waterworks Authority achieve its goals of providing reliable drinking water and protecting public health and water resources on Guam."

The master plan project will:

*Evaluate and assess GWA's water and wastewater systems;

*Identify the utility's existing conditions and assets;

*Forecast trends and needs;

*Develop information management systems for the utility;

*Develop a financial plan; and

*Evaluate alternatives and make recommendations of courses of action and implementation.

The master plan will be used by GWA as a road map for making immediate and long term infrastructure improvements. Guam's current drinking water system is currently undergoing repairs and improvements to provide a reliable supply of water to Guam residents. The island's wastewater treatment system is also being upgraded to ensure proper disposal of treated wastewater and to prevent any spills and overflows.

Source: EPA