WeAreGuahan
Water Supply
- The Department of Defense plans on drilling 22 new wells at Andersen Air Force Base to meet the increase in demand on DoD controlled-properties. Vol. 6, Chapt. 3, pp. 45-46.
- The DEIS predicts a 2.3 million gallon per day (MGd) shortfall of drinking water in 2010 increasing to a 6.1 MGd shortfall in 2014 for people who do not live on DoD controlled properties. Vol. 6, Chapt. 3, p. 48.
- The DEIS states that “[i]f this shortfall occurs, it is possible that water outages or low pressure conditions wold take place within the water system. Water outages or low water pressure can result in microbiological and other contaminants entering the distribution system, potentially resulting in illness. Water outages or low water pressure can also prevent effective fire fighting and degrade the basic sanitary needs of the population.” Vol. 6, Chapt. 3, p. 46.
- The DEIS has not identified a funding source for the improvements necessary to sustain the increase in population. Guam Waterworks Authority (“GWA”) has expressed concern that the costs of these improvements will be paid for by the current residents of Guam.
- US Environmental Protection Agency has stated that “[t]he drinking water shortfall will result in a drawdown of [the] aquifer with potential long-term impacts, including saltwater intrusion and a reduction in the overall yield of the aquifer. There is uncertainty regarding the sustainable yield of the aquifer, yet DoD has not completed an updated assessment.”
Resources:
Most of these facts can be found in Volume 6, Chapter 3 of the DEIS, which is available here.
Read US EPA’s assessment of the DEIS, which is available here.
