JIC Recovery Release No. 36 - Clarification on Guam EPA Investigation, Does Not Apply to GWA Water - GHS OCD

On June 6, 2023, the Guam Environmental Protection Agency (Guam EPA) issued an announcement through Joint Information Center Release No. 35 regarding an investigation into facilities around the island who have taken delivery of water from companies who were using tanker trucks that are not rated or approved for potable water. As part of the announcement, a “DO NOT DRINK” Order was referenced and made available for public view.

The Guam Waterworks Authority (GWA) is not affected in this matter. GWA water is supplied by approved methods which are consistent with the Guam Safe Drinking Water Act, subject to the on-going precautionary boil water notice. The investigation does not apply to GWA water, and applies only to people and businesses that have purchased water from non-GWA, non-potable tanker trucks.

The investigation and order are applicable to only those who have purchased water from non-potable tanker trucks.

The Guam EPA has been made aware of facilities around the island who have taken delivery of water from companies who were using tanker trucks that are not rated or approved for potable water.

Non-potable tanker trucks are not approved for delivery of water for human consumption.

For more information, see JIC Recovery Release No. 35 in its entirety.

Visit the following links for the latest information:

Governor’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govlouguam
GHS/OCD Website: https://ghs.guam.gov/
GHS/OCD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GHSOCD/

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

> View Guam EPA Clarification

X Flooding is a temporary overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. There are many possible causes of floods including heavy rain, coastal storms and storm surge, waterway overflow from being blocked with debris, or overflow of levees, dams, or waste water systems. Flooding can occur slowly over many days or happen very quickly with little or no warning, called flash floods.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/floods

Wildfire

Regularly clean the roof and gutters.
Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.

Fire Weather

Turn on your TV/radio. You’ll get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the route to take and have plan of where you will go. Check-in with your friends and family.
Keep your car fueled, in good condition, and stocked with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

Drought

Conserve water

Take shorter showers.

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Run the washer less frequently and only when you have a full load.
Water your lawn less frequently and do so when the temperature is cooler in the early morning or late evening.
When you run the tap to heat or cool water, keep a pitcher to store the water and use it to water plants.
Avoid washing your car.

Practice fire prevention

Don't set off fireworks when conditions are dry.
Deposit cigarette butts in the proper receptacle to avoid starting a
Pour water over camp fires and backyard fire pits to ensure they are completely out before leaving them unattended.

Follow directions from local officials. If there are restrictions on water usage, be sure to heed them.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/wildfires and https://www.ready.gov/drought

X
Typhoons/Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from typhoons/hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, and rip currents.

“Hurricanes” form in the Atlantic Northeast Pacific region and “Typhoons” form in the Northwest Pacific Region. These large storms are call cyclones in other parts of the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

JIC Recovery Release No. 36 - Clarification on Guam EPA Investigation, Does Not Apply to GWA Water