By Pacific Island Times News Staff
The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday passed the Water Resources Development Act, which included an amendment to raise Guam’s environmental infrastructure authority from $10 million to $35 million.
Guam Del. James Moylan, who introduced the amendment, said the requested fund would be earmarked for the Guam Waterworks Authority’s Ugum water treatment plant expansion.
The initial $10 million would help fund the feasibility study, while the additional authorized funds would assist with the expansion, he said.
Moylan has also submitted a separate amendment to the Energy and Water Appropriations bill proposing a $35 million appropriation to fund GWA projects. That amendment will be voted on sometime this week.
Earlier this year, GWA launched the $35 million Ugum water treatment plant rehabilitation project, which involves the construction of a new reservoir tank, as well as, the repair and replacement of vital equipment.
GWA said the plant provides approximately 2.4 million gallons of drinking water for the southern region of Guam each day, and this investment will double the storage capacity for treated water to future-proof the plant so it can continue to deliver safe, clean drinking water to our people.
"Scheduled improvements include the construction of a brand new 2 million- gallon concrete reservoir, plus critical upgrades to the raw water pumps at the river intake, settling basins, membranes, pipe gallery, generator room, backwash, the neutralization and sludge tanks, thickening system, operations and chemical building, and administration building,' GWA said.
The project is expected to be completed in January 2025.
“This is a huge win for Guam and its need to expand the Ugum Water Treatment Plant. The authority is a critical first step, and I am happy to get the support of my colleagues in securing the increased amount, which will assist with the expansion once the study phase is completed,” Moylan said. “This also raises the bar in the amount Guam could secure in future WRDA bills.”
Additional amendments incorporated into the WRDA bill included authorizing a new feasibility study for coastal storm and flood risk management on Guam.
Another amendment would instruct the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct feasibility studies at the request of a non-federal sponsor, with Guam as a priority area.
The WRDA is a comprehensive package designed for the conservation of water and related resources. It primarily funds studies through the USACE.
The measure is discussed by Congress every two years, with the last discussion in 2022.
"As discussed by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, this has been the most amendment approval in the WRDA for Guam in recent years," according to a press release from the delegate's office.
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