by Mindy Aguon

Guam - The Guam Waterworks Authority has been assessed another $65,000 penalty for failing to complete several projects including the groundwater chlorination project, the water meter improvement program and the Sinajana Water Transmission Line Project. In a joint status report filed with the District Court on Tuesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and GWA gave an update of the two agencies efforts to negotiate a new settlement agreement for the court's approval.

That document will identify projects that will improve GWA's compliance over the next 3-5 years.

The feds are still concerned about GWA's continued violation of a requirement to complete the construction of the Ugum Water Treatment Plant, but because of ongoing construction and certain assurances from the local utility agency, the EPA decided not to impose a stipulated penalty.

Meanwhile, EPA Region IX is also recommending that GWA's petition for review over an extension of a waiver allowing for less than secondary treatment of the effluent discharges from the Northern Sewage Treatment Plant and Agana Sewage Treatment Plant be denied. Another status hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday before District Court Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood.