EPA is working under 4 Mission Assignments from FEMA to date:  

1) For activation and coordination ($60,000);

2) Subject matter experts (SMEs) for water ($60,000);

3)  SME for debris management and household hazardous waste (HHW) planning ($60,000); and

4) Direct Federal Assistance to collect, stage and dispose of downed and damaged transformers ($1,000,000). 

 
EPA also received an MA tasking USCG for a Liaison to the IMAT/EOC on CNMI;

An MA for collection of HHW is in process and is expected in the coming days.

None at the present time.  However, communications and internet connectivity remain a significant issue on Saipan, which along with the difference in time zones further hampers communications between EOC & field personnel.

Additionally, airport operations on Saipan remain limited to daylight hours.  This complicates personnel travel logistics, particularly as commercial airline schedules do not reflect the on-the-ground situation/limitations.

Calculated total CUC production:

Normal:  146 wells operable, producing 9.5 MGD
Currently: 34 wells operable, producing 3.2 MGD [31%]

Water Task Force began an assessment of bottled water companies since some villages are receiving intermittent CUC water and thus some companies may begin to produce water.  

Over the last two days the Water Task Force and DEQ visited 13 bottled water and ice companies to survey operational status and finished water capacity.  7 companies are operational and producing 27,000 gallons of potable water/day. 6 companies are not operational but can produce 6000+ gallons/day, once water and power are restored (some production data unavailable).  Once sufficient bottled water capacity is restored, USMC will demobilize the RO treatment system.

With CUC distributing water intermittently, increased flows are entering the wastewater collection system. Lift stations without permanent generators are not keeping up. Spills reported at lift station SR2 Wednesday and Thursday.

EPA SME is providing technical assistance to CUC to prepare for Sadog Tasi WWTP restart.  This is estimated to take up to a week before full functional secondary treatment is provided.  In the interim it will be providing partial treatment.

EPA continues working with CUC on planning transformer collection.  In support of this, PST is putting together a Job Hazard Analysis for working around electrical lines.  EPA has drafted a transformer assessment template.  In addition, they have met with CUC GIS staff and are aiming to produce a map indicating location of powers poles (including number of transformers on each) to be used as a base layer for planning and assessment.  

In the next operational period, EPA anticipates working to identify additional resources to deploy to CNMI as well as communicating with and supporting our field personnel.

In preparation for a potential typhoon approaching the Mariana Islands, FEMA has sent EPA Region 9 resource requests (which are expected to become Mission Assignments) for the following:  activation to the Oakland RRCC for coordination purposes; mobilization to Guam as part of a FEMA Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT).  This second request will be filled by deployment of Mike Sibley, a Region 10 OSC, to accompany the FEMA Region X IMAT. 

Continue to provide technical assistance to BECQ and CUC regarding recovery of the drinking water supply system.  Continue to coordinate with and provide technical assistance to CUC on the wastewater system recovery.

2.2.1.1.b - Debris removal planning support

Region 9 START and ERRS contractors have been activated under the MA for transformer collection.  START is en route to Saipan and ERRS will deploy on 8/15.  START will assist with sampling support and assessment of areas impacted by transformer oil releases.  ERRS will support collection of transformers, using primarily on-island subcontractors.

USCG Pacific Strike Team staff will be extended to support ESF-10 efforts, now that mission assignments have been given for larger-scale field work.