DEQ seeks tighter control on water business

Investors planning to set up bottled water businesses in the CNMI must be given an overview of the regulations imposed by the Division of Environmental Quality to make sure that they comply with the health and sanitation standards.

According to Joe Kaipat, acting branch manager of the Safe Drinking Water Branch, such procedure would prepare investors in this type of business and also protect the health of consumers.

DEQ implements a random check of bottled waters bought in different retail stores on the island. If results of the analysis show the water is positive for total coliform, the establishment is immediately ordered closed.

The Safe Drinking Water Branch also inspects factories, hotels, restaurants with a staff of 25 or more to find out if the water system in these establishments are really clean. “We check the water tanks and teach them chlorination procedure,” Kaipat said.

Another government agency, the Bureau of Health and Sanitation Services has also been conducting its own inspections of the different hotels, restaurants and factories to ensure that sanitation regulations are followed.

“When health employees inspect these establishments, they look at the food preparation and check whether the place is clean. But who inspects whether the water is clean? Maybe, we can both do the inspections at the same time to systematically carry out these task,” Kaipat added.

A month ago, the Bureau of Environmental Health has ordered the closure of at least four restaurants which have violated sanitation regulations.

To efficiently carry out the inspection task, Kaipat said a memorandum of agreement between DEQ and the Bureau of Health and Sanitation may be drafted for both agencies to implement a systematic inspection of various establishments.

In addition, the Department of Commerce and DEQ can sign a separate memorandum of agreement for investors that will set up bottled water businesses.

In a related development, Kaipat said all residents who would like to have the quality of their water checked should just call up DEQ because inspectors will not go to their houses unannounced.

DEQ was mandated by the US EPA to conduct regular test on some eight water companies on the island.

In setting drinking water standards, DEQ has determined that the presence of total coliform is a serious health concern. The presence of these bacteria in drinking water is usually due to the problem with the water treatment system which indicates that the water may be contaminated.

The Safe Drinking Water Branch is also on the lookout for possible pesticides, mercury, nitrate, asbestos and lead which may have contaminated the drinking water with the introduction of many chemicals to the CNMI.