The Guam Coral Reef Initiative, under the Department of Agriculture’s Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources, led a major cleanup of the Taguag River in Piti, removing more than 50 bags of trash from the riverbanks, enough to fill an entire flatbed trailer provided by Public Works.

They were joined by partners from Guam EPA, the Piti Mayor’s Office, the UOG Marine Lab, and DPW. 

Volunteers reported what looked like a “carpet of drink cans” several feet deep near the river mouth, raising concerns about illegal dumping and ongoing littering in the area.

The cleanup comes after biologists observed unusually poor water quality in the Piti Bomb Holes Marine Preserve this past July, where the Taguag River flows directly. The water turned green and murky with a strong odor, triggering a coral disease outbreak that killed hundreds of corals, including those growing in underwater nurseries.

Water testing showed ammonia and nitrogen levels in the Taguag River were seven times higher than nearby rivers, pointing to human-caused pollution as a major factor. Combined with drought, heavy rain, and warm temperatures, conditions created a “perfect storm” for coral disease.

Despite removing dozens of bags of trash, thousands of cans remain. GCRI plans additional cleanups and is working with partners to prevent debris and pollution from entering the river. 

The community is encouraged to properly dispose of waste, use fertilizers sparingly, report illegal dumping, and volunteer for upcoming cleanups to help protect Guam’s waterways and reefs.