Previous Story
Public warned of coliform in Rota water
|
Posted on Jul 04 2005
Samples taken last month from Rota’s public water system have tested positive for excessive coliform, the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. reported.
According to CUC, the Rota water samples collected from The Sunrise Hotel exceeded the maximum contaminant level set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Under the CNMI water regulations, no more than 5 percent of water samples collected in a month may contain bacteria. However, the samples containing coliforms exceeded the allowable level.
The Public Health Water Standards created by the CNMI Division of Environmental Quality and EPA require CUC to inform DEQ of any violation of water standards and to inform the public about it.
CUC increased chlorine treatment of Rota’s water to address the lapse in water standards.
CUC maintained that, while coliforms are common in the environment and generally not harmful, the presence of such contaminants in the water indicate likely problems in the pipelines, wells, reservoirs, or at the chlorine stations.
Common health problems caused by coliforms include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, jaundice , and associated fatigue. CUC noted that however that these symptoms are not only associated with waterborne illnesses, but indications of other health problems as well.
The CUC Water Division operates a system of pipelines from Rota Cave to Songsong. Rota also has three wells drilled for Sinapalo and two chlorine injection stations.
