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Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Unveils New Water Quality Regulations to Protect Public Health and Environment

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The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands has introduced new water quality regulations aimed at ensuring the island’s waters are safe for recreation, human consumption, and aquatic life.

Background

In a bid to safeguard public health and the environment, the government has set strict standards for water quality, including limits on pollutants such as bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants. The rules also establish specific criteria for water bodies across the islands, taking into account factors such as population density, land use, and natural habitats.

New Regulations

Set strict standards for water quality, including limits on pollutants such as bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants.
Establish specific criteria for water bodies across the islands, taking into account factors such as population density, land use, and natural habitats.
Require all surface waters to be free of substances attributable to domestic, industrial, or other controllable sources of pollutants.
Establish microbiological requirements for Enterococci and E.coli bacteria in all waters, with specific limits on concentrations to ensure public health and environmental protection.

Classification of Water Bodies

The new regulations classify coastal and oceanic waters surrounding Saipan, Tinian, Aguigan, Farallon de Medinilla, Anatahan, Sariguan, Guguan, Alamagan, Pagan, Agrihan, Asuncion, Maug, and Farallon de Pajaros as:

Class AA: High-quality waters with minimal pollution.
Class A: Good-quality waters with moderate levels of pollution.
Class 1: Lower-quality waters with significant levels of pollution.

Monitoring Requirements

The new regulations establish monitoring requirements to ensure compliance with the standards, including:

Verification of freedom from certain conditions, such as floating debris, oil, grease, scum, or other floating materials; high temperatures; biocides; pathogenic organisms; toxic, corrosive, or other deleterious substances at levels or in combinations sufficient to be toxic or harmful to human health or aquatic life.

Implementation

The Commonwealth’s Department of Public Health and Environmental Control will be responsible for implementing the new regulations. The department is committed to ensuring that the island’s waters are safe and healthy for communities, visitors, and the environment.

Quotes

“We are committed to ensuring that our waters are safe and healthy for our communities, visitors, and the environment,” said [insert name], Secretary of Public Health and Environmental Control. “These new regulations will help us achieve this goal and protect the beauty and biodiversity of our island home.”

Effective Date and Access

The new water quality regulations took effect on [insert date] and can be accessed through the Commonwealth’s website or at local government offices.

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