By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

THE Guam Waterworks Authority is planning to start a community educational program on the chronic and very troublesome problem of residents and commercial users dumping fats, oils and grease straight into the island’s water system.
“We need more help in getting the word out about this,” GWA public information officer Heidi Ballendorf said, adding that although GWA is not allowed to fine companies, it can shut off offending customers’ water service.
“While we hate to do this, we need all commercial customers to install grease traps. We are planning on giving them several months to do so. However, at some point in time, we will start shutting off water,” Ballendorf warned.
For its educational program, GWA will be working with other community groups like the Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association, the umbrella organization of the island’s hotels, which are big consumers of water.
GWA will also be working with other government agencies such as the Guam Environmental Protection Agency.
“We need your help, too,” Ballendorf said, as she encouraged residents to learn about and be aware of the damage of dumping fats, oils, and grease into the water system.
In 2005, Ballendorf said GWA spent over $100,000 when it had to unclog the water system of the unwanted grease.
“We could have used this money for other vital projects needed to improve the island’s water and wastewater system,” Ballendorf pointed out.