The American Samoa Power Authority recently installed 10 reverse osmosis water machines in villages on the far east of Tutuila to provide free drinking water to customers there.
ASPA water on the eastside has a “salty taste” and customers are reluctant to drink or cook with it.
Water well locations on the eastside south shore villages have high chloride levels due to their close proximity to the shoreline.
Villages where the reverse osmosis water machines have been installed are Aua, Laulii, Auto, Fagaitua DPS Fire Station, Alofau, Amouli, Aoa, Alao, Tula and Aunuu.
Fortunately for many of the north shore villages high chloride levels has not been an issue.
The north shore villages of Vatia, Afono, Masefau, Masausi and Sailele have some of the best tasting water in the territory.
This is due to mountain front locations of water wells serving these villages.
The Department of Interior provided funding which enabled ASPA to move forward with this project to assist customers with the cost of buying drinking water, using their own bottles.
A press release from ASPA says it recognizes the need for a long term solution to this problem and is continually exploring well sites that can provide better water for the eastside villages.
In the meantime, ASPA hopes these machines will provide relief to the eastside residents to assist them with their drinking water needs.
