JIC Release No. 16 - GWA Update - GHS OCD

The Guam Waterworks Authority (GWA) provided an update that the GWA northern systems are operating normally, with only two wells currently off-line. High production wells are back on line.

Central systems are currently being affected by reduced pumping capabilities at two central water booster pump stations, leading to low water or no water in the higher elevations of Yona, and reduced reservoir levels in Windward hills and portions of cross-island road.

Isolated areas serviced by booster pumps with no back-up generators are:
1) Nimitz Hill/Turner Road
2) Maina/Tuba & Pinga Streets

Tankers have been deployed to these areas until island power can be restored.

GWA is working with the Guam Power Authority to prioritize restoring island power to the affected central booster pump stations.

In the south, Ugum Water treatment plant is on line and producing sufficient water for the service area.  Two areas are without water due to booster pumps with no back-up generators: 1) Merizo / Pigua Subdivision, and 2) Agat-Umatac / Upper Santa Ana. Tankers have been deployed to these areas as well.

There are also several isolated locations with water outages due to service line breaks resulting from fallen/uprooted trees, and damage from equipment conducting debris clearing operations.  GWA repair crews have been dispatched to make needed repairs.  One area in Ipan cannot be addressed until safety concerns resulting from a leaning power pole are resolved.

Wastewater Systems:
All treatment plants are operating normally.  Some of the smaller southern sewage pump stations without generators are being managed with pump trucks until island power can be restored.  Repairs and assessments of all of our collection facilities are on-going, and any post-typhoon repairs will be made as soon as manpower and resources become available.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

For more information, contact the Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) 24/7 watch desk at (671) 475-9600 or (671) 482-7019.

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 Release No. 16 - GWA Update