EPA’s court order has led to the improvements at Guam Waterworks Authority’s Umatac-Merizo wastewater treatment system
GWA rehabilitated the waste stabilization pond and six constructed wetland ponds. (Credit: Pixabay/Wolfgang Claussen)
Guam Waterworks Authority (GWA) has opened the newly upgraded Umatac-Merizo wastewater treatment system, as part of wastewater upgrades to meet the terms the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2011 Court Order,
As per the order, GWA must address the health and welfare risks from numerous discharges of untreated or inadequately treated wastewater and significant deficiencies in its public drinking water systems.
Upgrades to the Umatac-Merizo wastewater treatment system were completed last month
The upgrades to the Umatac-Merizo wastewater treatment system were completed last month, where the system’s treatment process was claimed to have been improved significantly.
Even though the plant’s capacity is 390,000 gallons per day, GWA rehabilitated the waste stabilization pond and six constructed wetland ponds. The upgrades allow natural processes for treating wastewater and to reduce the frequency of the discharge of surface waters. The new design is also claimed to have been well-suited to the island’s natural environment.
Another upgrade is the ultraviolet disinfection system designed to reduce microorganisms in the treated wastewater.
EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker said: “This is an important milestone that represents Guam’s commitment to improving wastewater infrastructure.
“We are pleased to work with GWA in achieving better drinking water and wastewater systems that will benefit the residents of Guam and their environment.”
Claimed to be a second major milestone completed by GWS under the order last year, in last June, the water authority inaugurated the new Agat-Santa Rita wastewater treatment plant.
With the plant, the treatment capacity had more than doubled from 750,000 gallons per day to 1.6 million gallons per day.
Last month, EPA had agreed to provide funding to support Washington’s $22m plan for drinking water and $120m plan for improving wastewater infrastructure. The sources of funding for Washington’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan include $24.5m grant from EPA and $5.5m in state matching funds.
The sources of funding for Washington’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan include $27.6m grant and $5.5m in state matching funds.