WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROGRAM - View Program

In his 1998 State of the Union Address, President Clinton announced a major new national Clean Water Initiative, the Clean Water Action Plan (CWAP). This initiative aims to achieve clean waters by encouraging federal and nonfederal agencies, other organizations and interested citizens to work in a collaborative manner to restore our highest priority watersheds. WERI researchers have undertaken several projects for developing a watershed management strategy for Guam and the Federated States of Micronesia.

SOIL EROSION MONITORING AND MITIGATION PROGRAM - View Program

Surface runoff and sediment losses from soil erosion are major contributors to reduction in surface water quality and subsequent degradation of the coral reefs in Guam and the other islands in Western Pacific.  The Guam Waterworks Authority (GWA) is presently pumping 4 million gallons per day from Ugum River in Southern Guam to the treatment facility.  In recent years the GWA has faced an increasingly difficult task of keeping the plant operating at full capacity when the river is running with high turbidity rates.  This highly turbid water has increased operational costs and along with poor operation and maintenance practices has led to premature failure of many components of the treatment plant system.  Water that passes the Ugum treatment plant intakes eventually makes its way to the outlet of the river and into the estuary and reef environment.  The negative impact of sediment loading on the aquatic environment of Guam is the degradation of coral reef, as well as negative impacts on fish populations and the tourism industry. 

ROOFTOP RAIN CATCHMENT SIZING -View Program