By Pacific Island Times News Staff
The Guam Environmental Protection Agency (Guam EPA) is investing reports that some facilities around the island have taken delivery of water from companies using tanker trucks that are not rated or approved for potable water.
As part of the announcement, a “Do No Drink” order was referenced and made available for public view.
Guam EPA said the Guam Waterworks Authority was not affected by this investigation.
"GWA water is supplied by approved methods which are consistent with the Guam Safe Drinking Water Act, subject to the on-going precautionary boil water notice," according to the Joint Information Center. "The investigation does not apply to GWA water, and applies only to people and businesses that have purchased water from non-GWA, non-potable tanker trucks. "
The investigation and order are applicable to only those who have purchased water from non-potable tanker trucks.
Officials said non-potable tanker trucks are not approved for delivery of water for human consumption.
"Boiling water which is handled in this manner will not make it safe for human consumption Non-potable tanker trucks are used to carry water which is not tested and may contain bacteria or chemical contaminants at levels which are unsafe for human consumption," officials said. "Traces of these contaminants will remain in the tank after non-potable use, and will remain present in the water that consumers receive from the building plumbing system.
Guam EPA advises individuals or patrons of facilities who may have received water from an unapproved method of the following:
Use bottled water for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice
The water delivered by truck may be used for non-potable purposes such as flushing toilets, laundry, and other household cleaning
Guam EPA is requiring owners of affected facilities have taken delivery of water from companies through unapproved methods to:
self identify
provide notification to all residents and patrons, using the required notification form, that Water at their facilities was derived from an unapproved source and should not be consumed
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