Guam EPA reports PFAS drinking-water testing, lab build progress, tire-site cleanup and zero-waste initiatives

At its Jan. 30 meeting, the Guam Environmental Protection Agency (Guam EPA) updated the board on multiple ongoing environmental monitoring, infrastructure and solid-waste efforts, including PFAS drinking-water testing, plans for a new Guam EPA laboratory, federal cleanup of a large tire site, permit-review issues related to military construction and a multi-initiative zero-waste master plan.

PFAS monitoring and drinking-water sampling The agency said a memorandum of agreement routed for review will transfer $500,000 to the Guam Waterworks Authority (GWA) for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) monitoring under an emerging contaminants grant. U.S. EPA Region 9 enforcement and compliance staff are scheduled to visit next week to perform drinking-water sampling and inspections at four public water systems: GWA North, Guam Plaza Resort and Spa, Guam International Airport and Guam International Medical City. The agency estimated inspectors will collect about 400 samples in roughly one week; testing is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

Laboratory build and technical assistance Guam EPA reported a signed contract and upcoming negotiations with a proposed vendor on a headquarters/laboratory project. The procurement model is design-bid-build; the agency said it remains in the solicitation phase…