EPA Will Require Storm Water Permits in Guam

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a decision to require all dischargers of urban storm water in Guam to obtain permits to control pollution in runoff from urbanized areas of the island.

The action designates all current and future municipal storm water sources in Guam to follow Clean Water Act permitting requirements. Municipal storm water is a leading cause of water quality problems in Guam, and the requirements will help protect the island’s marine environment from polluted runoff from urban areas, military bases and road systems.

“This decision demonstrates EPA’s commitment to address all significant sources of water pollution in Guam,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s regional administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “As Guam embarks on an ambitious military development process, these storm water permits will help ensure that new buildings and roads are designed to protect the island’s unique coastal waters and groundwater.”

Within a year, EPA plans to issue permits to facilities that will specify controls necessary to prevent and control polluted runoff from urban and military sources. The permits also will create requirements to minimize pollution into existing storm drain systems throughout the island.

Guam’s coastal waters are home to a variety of important marine environments, including several threatened coral reefs. The island’s groundwater basins supply virtually all of its drinking water needs. Storm water is a substantial source of pollution in coastal streams, bays, beach areas and groundwater in Guam, and can harm coral reefs, sicken beachgoers and swimmers and threaten drinking water supplies.

Source: U.S. EPA