Boil water notice imposed for Agana Heights residents

by Mindy Aguon

A boil water notice is in effect for residents living in Agana Heights.  The Guam Waterworks Authority found a hole in the chlorination system hose which has since been repaired.  GWA Laboratory Administrator Carmen Denton said, "We ask all the residents living in the Agana Heights area to please boil their drinking water until further notice.”

GWA is conducting testing throughout the weekend and will continue to impose the boil water notice until they receive results that show the water is free of contaminants. Fecal coliform or E. Coli bacteria was found in the water supply samples taken yesterday in the Agana Heights area.  Residents are advised not to drink the water from the tap without first boiling the water for one minute and letting it cool. Residents should use bottled water or boil water before using for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and preparing food.  Fecal coliform bacteria indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal feces and it can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms and be extremely dangerous for infants, young children and those with compromised immune systems. The problem was noted at Well A-31.  Residents in Agana Heights are urged to continue to boil their water until further notice.