This agreement provides funding to the commonwealth utilities corporation to implement its project to replace granular activated carbon for PFAS remediation as directed in the 2024 consolidated…

This Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Congressionally Mandated Projects program (CFDA 66.202) provides $959,752.00 to the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation (CUC) to implement a project to replace granular activated carbon (GAC) systems for PFAS remediation on the island of Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The key activities funded include maintaining and monitoring the existing GAC systems, including dedicated personnel, a vehicle, process control sampling, changeout equipment, media storage, replacement materials, and disposal of spent media. The anticipated deliverable is the replacement of the spent GAC, which is expected to reduce PFAS contamination levels and allow CUC to restore full operations of its drinking water wells that have been impacted by PFAS. This project is intended to benefit the residents of Saipan by protecting public health from elevated PFOS and PFOA levels detected in the water supply.

This agreement provides funding to the commonwealth utilities corporation to implement its project to replace granular activated carbon for PFAS remediation as directed in the 2024 consolidated appropriations act or as identified in an approved technical correction if one has been approved for this project. This agreement provides full federal funding in the amount of $959,752.00. See terms and conditions.activities:the activities include funding to maintain and monitor the granular activated carbon systems installed on saipan. This includes dedicated personnel, a vehicle for monitoring and maintenance, process control sampling, shipment and testing, changeout equipment, media storage, replacement materials, disposal of spent media, and other miscellaneous tools, supplies, or activities needed for maintenance and monitoring. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include replacement of the granular activated carbon. The expected outcomes include reduction in the PFAS contamination levels, and allow CUC to withdraw the current health advisory. Currently, CUC has had to reduce the number of operational wells due to PFAS contamination, which has significantly affected water operations and made maintaining 24-hour water supply within the adjacent tank service areas difficult. Leaving the contaminated wells off can spread PFAS to the surrounding wells pumping from the same aquifer, which is why IT is essential for CUC to replace to the spent GAC media in the vessels to be able to continue operations. The intended beneficiaries include residents of saipan. The as terlaje tank service area has regularly detected levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (pfos), and perfluorooctanoic acid (pfoa) that exceeds usepa's lifetime health advisory limit of 70 parts per trillion (PPT). The new GAC would remove the pfos and pfoa from the distribution system, protecting public health.