'Do not drink' advisory lifted; USEPA seeks probe into possible dieldrin sources at Andersen Air Force Base

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

The Guam Environmental  Protection Agency has lifted the "do not drink

without treatment" notification for dieldrin in the Guam Waterworks Authority production well Y-15 in Yigo.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s  Superfund program has requested that Joint Region Marianas investigate possible dieldrin sources on Andersen Air Force Base due to proximity to the Y-15 well.

“Families deserve transparency. They deserve to know how a banned pesticide ended up in their water. I appreciate EPA’s acknowledgment that a thorough source investigation is required, including areas surrounding Andersen Air Force

Base,” Guam Del. James Moylan said.

EPA’s Superfund program is responsible for cleaning up some the most contaminated sites across the nation.

AAFB is an active Superfund site, which was placed on the program's national priority list in 1992 due to the presence of hazardous substances associated with AAFB base operations. The site’s long-term cleanup is ongoing. 

According to USEPA's website, hazardous substances found on base included solvents such as trichloroethane and paint thinners; dry cleaning fluids and laundry products; fuels such as JP-4 and gasoline; pesticides; antifreeze; aircraft cleaning compounds; polychlorinated biphenyls metals and military munitions.

"These substances were found in unlined landfills, drum storage and disposal areas, chemical storage areas, fire training areas, waste storage areas, laundry facilities and industrial and flight line operations," reads an AAFB entry on the EPA website.

"We will continue pressing for answers and ensuring federal agencies remain fully engaged until the source of this contamination is identified 

and long-term protections are in place,” Moylan said.

On Sept. 12, GWA issued a Tier 1 or "do not use" advisory for dieldrin, a federally unregulated, manmade chemical used as an insecticide and termiticide from the 1950s until 1987.

GWA stated that the dieldrin monitoring data and analysis of the distribution system configuration revealed that, out of a total of 43,780 accounts, 1,112 ratepayers in the Santa Rosa area receive their water from a single well, which has dieldrin concentrations exceeding the interim action level set by GEPA.

The Guam EPA removed the advisory on Thursday following GWA’s installation of an interim treatment system.

“The distributed water is now considered safe for all uses, including drinking, cooking, washing and showering, after four consecutive weekly water samples showed no detectable levels of dieldrin,” GEPA said.

"Clean and safe water is not just vital for health, but also crucial for residents'

peace of mind," said Michelle Lastimoza, Guam EPA administrator.

Guam EPA will mandate ongoing monthly sampling to ensure the continued 

effectiveness of the treatment system.

GEPA also requires GWA to provide further documentation regarding operating procedures for both the interim and permanent treatment systems, and the disposal of waste generated by these systems.

Guam EPA is also in the process of revising the interim action level risk assessment document for dieldrin, which will outline standardized protocols

for responding to future detections and the installation of approved treatment systems.

In Washington D.C.. Moylan said the U.S. EPA has responded to his  request

 for federal assistance on toxic dieldrin contamination in Yigo’s drinking water.

In its response, EPA confirmed that the local treatment response has reduced

dieldrin levels to the point where they are no longer detectable in current sampling.

Moylan said that while the advisory timeline raised concerns earlier in the 

process, federal and local agencies are now aligned and proactive in safeguarding families.

“The health and safety of our families in Yigo remain a top priority. EPA’s confirmation that dieldrin levels are no longer detectable is welcome news, but this matter is far from over," Moylan said.

EPA outlined several key actions now underway:

·    Long-term treatment equipment for well Y-15 has been funded and

is expected to be installed in the coming weeks.

·     EPA Region 9 and GWA leadership met on Nov. 12 to review progress and next steps.

·    Federal grant funding has been authorized to support emergency and long-term mitigation measures.

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