DEQ defends chemical water testing

The Division of Environmental Quality yesterday maintained that the chemical water testing to be conducted in the CNMI is important due to the contamination of groundwater.

In a press statement, DEQ noted that numerous man-made industrial solvents have been found in the limited amount of testing that has been performed on the island to date.

In one instance, contamination was found at a concentration greater than 60 times the CNMI drinking water standard. “The potential risk of adverse health effects, ranging from gastrointestinal disorders to diseases of the liver, circulatory system, reproductive system and cancer, are very real and can no longer be ignored,” DEQ said.

Businesses have opposed the planned chemical monitoring of water systems due to the high cost involved in water testings. DEQ explained that the fee for shipping and analysis is sent directly to a drinking water laboratory in the U.S. mainland. DEQ has already certified the Montgomery Watson Laboratories in Pasadena, California to conduct the chemical analyses.

Although there is only one DEQ-certified lab that can currently perform these analyses, any laboratory can apply to DEQ for certification. The price that the Montgomery Watson Lab charges for analysis is competitive with prices charged by other laboratories in the mainland.

“It is not DEQ’s responsibility to collect the samples or pay for the analysis of the samples. This is the responsibility of the public water system,” DEQ said. All water wells do not need to be sampled. Sampling is required only of wells used by certain types of public water systems, and only then if the water is used for human consumption.

The planned water testing is part of the CNMI regulations since 1997 and part of the federal requirements since 1991. DEQ, which is responsible for implementing the CNMI’s Safe Water Drinking Water Program, regulates public water systems that provide water for human consumption to 25 or more people.

The CNMI regulations require public water systems to be sampled for solvents and other man-made organic chemicals every three years. Within the three-year period 1999-2001, a water system must collect one sample every three months for four consecutive quarters.

In the second three-year compliance period (2002-2004), however, DEQ may be able to reduce or completely waive sampling requirements for some chemicals. DEQ can do this if information, including previous monitoring results, indicates contamination does not threaten a water system’s source of water.