JIC Recovery Release No. 19 - Green Waste Disposal Updates; GSWA Update; GPA Update; GWA Update; Do Not Wait to Clean

Green Waste Disposal Updates:

The Government of Guam’s green waste transition sites are open for residential green waste disposal. Each site is operational 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., 7 days a week. These sites will accept only green waste, vegetative waste, and yard trimmings. All other disaster debris including, but not limited to metallic waste, white goods, bulky household waste, household hazardous waste, and household trash will be REJECTED. 

GSWA Service Update:

The Guam Solid Waste Authority (GSWA) will be providing free trash collection services to all residents, including those who are not registered customers of GSWA. 

GSWA urges the community to take not of the following important information regarding trash collection services and other updates related to GSWA operations and typhoon recovery efforts which will be in effect for the next two weeks: 

• Curbside Trash Collection for All Residents: 

  • Curbside collections will run from 3 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

  • GSWA will collect trash from all residents, including homes not registered with GSWA for free and for the next two weeks

  • Residents who do not have GSWA issued trash carts must ensure that all trash is bagged and/or placed in a personal trash container and placed curbside for collection

  • Customers who have GSWA issued recycle carts may use them for excess trash

  • Unfinished collection routes will continue to the next day to ensure all scheduled areas are serviced

  • Construction debris and green waste, including leaves, branches, trees, and plants will not be collected

• Temporary Suspension of Curbside Recycle and Bulky Waste Collection: 

  • Curbside recycle collection and bulky waste collection services are suspended until further notice

  • Customers who have current bulky waste appointments will be contacted for rescheduling once bulky waste collections resume 

  • Bulky waste items such as appliances and furniture will be accepted free of charge at the residential transfer stations located in Harmon, Hågat, and Malojloj

• Residential Transfer Stations (Harmon, Hågat, and Malojloj):

  • Free of charge for residential use for disposal of trash and bulky waste.

  • Household appliances and furniture will be accepted. 

  • Open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Replacement Trash Carts: 

  • Customers may obtain a replacement cart by visiting the GSWA Customer Service office 

  • A replacement fee of $74.75 must be paid prior to the reissuance of a cart.

  • Cash or check payments accepted at the GSWA main office

Due to the increase in waste volume and several roads still blocked by typhoon debris, some delays may occur. Collection routes will also be coordinated with the Department of Public Works and the Guam Power Authority as those agencies are conducting work along roads and to avoid any conflicts or disruptions during the recovery process. 

Please visit the GSWA website for further updates and announcements or contact GSWA Customer Service by phone at 671-646-3111 or email customerservice@gswa.guam.gov. 

GPA Update:

The Guam Power Authority (GPA) continues its restoration and post-typhoon recovery efforts. As of 4 p.m., GPA reports:

• 21% of the System Load (Customer Demand) has been restored.

• 76.9% of GPA’s Substation Energization has been restored.

• 47.6% of GPA’s feeders/ circuits have been energized/restored.

GPA notes that feeders and circuits may be energized only if GPA’s substation is energized and that system load will increase once feeders and circuits are energized.

Customers can contact GPA’s 24-Hour Trouble Dispatch at 671-475-1472/3/4 or via direct message on GPA’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GuamPowerAuthority.  

GWA Update:

As of 2 p.m., the Guam Waterworks Authority (GWA) provided the following update on water restoration progress:

Northern Region:

• Currently 50% of operable wells are on-line

• GWA continues to operate all available wells to increase reservoir levels throughout the northern system

• Tumon and Tamuning have water, but low pressures persist causing outages in some areas until reservoir levels can be increased

Central Region:

• Connection to Navy-supplied sources at Santa Rita-Sumai and Nimitz Hill has been restored

• With the exception of Finile and Santa Ana areas, service was restored to Santa Rita-Sumai and Hågat

• The Navy has increased flows in Santa Rita-Sumai and in Piti to assist with recovery

• Talo’fo’fo main village has been restored, with minor outages being reported as crews are assessing for any line breaks

• Service on Cross-island road area restored up to Our Lady of Peace

Southern Region:

• Southern water system will operate at reduced capacity until damaged control equipment at the Ugum Surface Water Treatment Plant is resolved

• Water services were restored from Ipan to Malesso’

• Main break repairs completed in Inalåhan

• Restoration of Humåtak is ongoing

GWA has deployed nine (9) 6,000 gallon Flexible Potable Water Tanks in:

• Santa Teresita, Mangilao

• Mongmong-Toto-Maite Mayor’s Office

• Dededo Mayor’s Office

• St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Inalåhan

• Malesso’ Pier

• Hågat Mayor's Office

• Chalan Palauan, Dededo

• Sinifa, Santa Rita

• Mount Santa Rosa, Yigo

Additional tank deployments pending for other sites once additional containers and chassis are made available. Once the tanks are depleted, they will be refilled and returned to service at locations still without water. 

The water tanks listed above are accessible 24 hours a day/7 days a week at this time. Once the tanks are depleted, it will be refilled and returned to service at locations still without water. Residents island-wide who have water service are advised to conserve and limit use for cleaning, bathing, and cooking in order to conserve water to allow reservoir levels to increase. 

A precautionary boil-water notice remains in effect. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking,

making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Residents island-wide

who have water service are being asked to limit use for cleaning, bathing and cooking in order to conserve

water to allow reservoir levels to increase. For information, contact GWA’s 24/7 phone line at (671) 646-4211 or facebook.com/guamwaterworksauthority.

Do Not Wait to Clean:

The Joint Information Center reminds the community it is always a good preparedness practice to document any photos and videos of your property before and after a disaster strikes. After photos are taken, immediately begin cleaning and making repairs to their homes to make them safe and livable again. Do not wait for public officials to come to your home. 

Visit the following links for the latest advisory information:

• GHS/OCD Website: https://ghs.guam.gov/

• GHS/OCD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GHSOCD/

• JRM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jrmguam 

For more information, contact the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10.