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EPA awards $1.5 million to Guam Waterworks Authority

Release Date: 8/3/2004
Contact Information: Dean Higuchi, (808) 541-2711

HONOLULU 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.
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