Safe Drinking Water

About the Program

Responsibilities established by law

Federal law The United States Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974 to protect public health in regards to the drinking water supply. The law was updated in 1986 and then again in 1996. This Act authorizes multiple types of regulation to protect rivers, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and ground water wells as they are the source of drinking water.
Local mandates Guam EPA was given the authority by Guam law to enforce the local Safe Drinking Water Act and supporting regulations. Out of this mandate, the Safe Drinking Water Program was born. The program’s main goals are to undertake planning activities, develop, implement and enforce Guam’s Primary and Secondary Safe Drinking Water Regulations. This program is the primary enforcement for these regulations.

In the field

The Safe Drinking Water Program works closely with various public and private organizations to ensure all drinking water is safe for consumer use. This includes making sure water is treated properly, facilities that treat water are maintained properly and wastewater is handled within the guidelines of the law. As an example, engineers in this program work closely with Guam Waterworks Authority to ensure drinking water meets federally-set safety requirements.

Guam Primary and Secondary Safe Drinking Water Regulations

PLEASE NOTE: Guam Primary and Secondary Safe Drinking Water Regulations were implemented by Guam P.L. 28-86. The version of these regulations currently available from the Supreme Court of Guam Compiler of Laws website is an older, incorrect version. Please refer only to THIS COPY until the official edition is replaced by the Compiler of Laws.

Federal regulations adopted under P.L. 28-86:

• 40 CFR Part 141, July 1, 2003 (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2003-title40-vol20/pdf/CFR-2003-title40-vol20-part141.pdf)
• 40 CFR Part 141, Juli 1, 2003 (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2003-title40-vol20/pdf/CFR-2003-title40-vol20-part143.pdf)

NOTICE: Some Federal regulations adopted after 2003 are currently enforceable in Guam by the US Environmental Protection Agency, and in some cases override the 2003 regulations adopted under P.L. 28-86. Examples include:

• The Ground Water Rule (40 CFR 141.400-405)
• The Stage 2 Disinfection Byproducts Requirements (40 CFR 141.620-629)
• The Revised Total Coliform Rule (40 CFR 141.851-861)

Copies of the July 1, 2019 edition of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Regulations, which Guam EPA is considering adopting in 2020, may be downloaded from here:

• 40 CFR Part 141, July 1, 2019 (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2019-title40-vol25/pdf/CFR-2019-title40-vol25-part141.pdf)
• 40 CFR Part 142, July 1, 2019 (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2019-title40-vol25/pdf/CFR-2019-title40-vol25-part142.pdf)
• 40 CFR Part 143, July 1, 2019 (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2019-title40-vol25/pdf/CFR-2019-title40-vol25-part143.pdf)

Elements of the Program

Water Operator’s Certification Examination

Any individual who works in a water treatment or production for potable systems must take, and pass the Water Operator’s Exam. This test is coordinated through the Safe Drinking Water Program. This test is required to make sure those working on public, and privately-owned water systems have the minimum qualifications necessary to operate a clean water system free of disease and chemical pollution.

Wastewater Operator’s Certification Examination

Any person that works in a wastewater treatment facility must pass the Wastewater Operators Exam. This exam ensures employees at public and private sewage treatment plants know how to properly operate plan equipment. One of the main focus points of this exam is to ensure employees can identify problems and fix them quickly. This helps reduce the amount of pollution that may affect the environment when systems break. This certification is critical to ensuring discharges from wastewater treatment plants meet federal and local permit requirements.

Lead

The Guam Lead Ban Act is implemented and enforced to minimize the public’s exposure to lead contamination attributed to plumbing materials, fittings and fixtures. This Act prohibits the use of lead in plumbing fixtures and is enforced by the Safe Drinking Water Program.

Public Water Supply Systems

Public Water Supply Systems (PWSS) on Guam are regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Program through an Operating Permit. These permits are issued by the Program. There are currently eleven (11) permitted Public Water Supply Systems on Guam. Three of these systems are operated by the Guam Waterworks Authority, two by the Department of Defense (Air Force and Navy systems), two by Ultimate Beach, Inc., and one each by Foremost Foods, Cocos Island Resort, and Earth Tech, Inc.

Program Staff and Contact Information

External Links about Safe Drinking Water

• U.S EPA Drinking Water
• Safe Drinking Water Foundation
• Global Health and Education Foundation Safe Drinking Water