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EPA Issues Warnings to Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Community Water Systems

Release Date: 5/15/2003
Contact Information: Contact: Dean Higuchi, (808) 541-2711

20 Small Systems Failed to Comply With Reporting Laws

     SAN FRANCISCO B The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently issued warning letters to owners and operators of 19 community water systems on Saipan and one on Rota for failing to distribute annual water quality consumer confidence reports to their customers.  

     The warning letters give the owners and operators until July 1 to distribute the reports to their customers as required by the 1996 right-to-know provisions of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.
     
     "Consumer confidence reports are the centerpiece of the right-to-know rules," said Acting EPA Pacific Southwest Water Division Director Catherine Kuhlman.  "These reports, which EPA developed in consultation with water suppliers, environmental groups, and the states, allow all water consumers to make practical, knowledgeable decisions about their health and their environment."
 
     Certain individuals may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population.  Immuno-compromised persons such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, people with HIV/AIDs or other immune system disorders, the elderly and infants can be particularly at risk from drinking contaminated water.

     The following water systems were notified of their failure to distribute water quality reports and may be subject to EPA enforcement action and face fines if they do not meet federal requirements:

Water system                   Island              Population Served
                                                    (Estimated)
Sam Marianas                   Saipan                    745
Uno Moda Corporation           Saipan                    778
Top Fasion Incorporated       Saipan                   1630
Tan Holdings/Dai-Ichi N.       Saipan                     44          
Winners 2/Gualorai Branch     Saipan                    277
Modern Stationary             Saipan                     72              
Japan Enterprise Barracks     Saipan                    198
World Int. Corp. Apartments   Saipan                     70
Rota Resort & Country Club     Rota                      223
Saipan Gold Beach             Saipan                     78
Riviera Resort Hotel           Saipan                   1081
Winners 2/Garden Motel Barracks Saipan                     60
Kingfisher Golf Resort         Saipan                    140
CMS Quarry                     Saipan                    103
Jin Apparel Garment           Saipan                    486
Grace International           Saipan                    380
Express Garment Manufactory   Saipan                    185
Tan Holdings/HillTop Company   Saipan                     37
Pang Jin/David Oh Barracks     Saipan                    166      
Paradise Apartment             Saipan                     32
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