ASPA clarifies Fagamalo water system shutdown notice

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA) wishes to inform our valued customers about the shutdown notice in the village of Fagamalo to address news reports and social media posts. ASPA’s recent shutdown notice in the village of Fagamalo was to inform village residents about the disinfection work to kill or inactivate bacteria in the Fagamalo tank and water distribution lines supplying water into the village. This effort is being coordinated between ASPA and AS-EPA. The process of disinfecting the tank and the distribution lines has started and will be completed on May 13, 2026. The disinfection work currently being carried out at this time is in response to a Boil Water Notice (BWN) issued by ASPA on April 19 as a result of water samples collected and analyzed by AS- EPA. These water samples were collected from the Fagamalo tank and the distribution lines supplying water into the village. The Fagamalo tank sample tested positive for Total Coliform and negative for E.Coli. The distribution line tested positive for both E.coli and Total Coliform. For precautionary measures, the issuance of the BWN was necessary while ASPA and AS-EPA conducted a thorough investigation to determine the source of the contamination. In the interest of public notification and transparency, the BWN and shutdown notice was posted on ASPA’s Facebook page, shared with Southseas Broadcast and hand delivered to Fagamalo residents. For residents that were not home, the BWN and the shutdown notice was attached to the front door. ASPA will keep our customers informed on the outcome of the disinfection process upon its completion and once sampling test and results have been verified and cleared by AS-EPA. According to Executive Director Tupuimatagi Katrina Mariner, she recognizes that our current operational challenges stem from past system deficiencies and aging infrastructure. The Executive Director is pleased to report that the current ASPA leadership is committed to maintaining full transparency with the public regarding these technical vulnerabilities and the corrective actions to resolve them. ASPA’s Water Division is proactively conducting system-wide assessments and addressing issues to ensure the continued delivery of safe drinking water to our customers. In response to the shutdown, ASPA has provided the residents of Fagamalo with cases of water and will replenish cases of water daily throughout the shutdown. ASPA will continue to work closely with AS-EPA to evaluate and assess our water system to ensure the delivery of safe drinking water to our customers. For more information, please contact Epeli Nabolaniwaqa at 699 1333 or epeli@aspower.com or ASPA’s 24/7 call center on 699-1234. Section: Local News Tags: ASPA
2026-05-11 17:06:21