The American Samoa Power Authority says the recent water 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 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 South Seas Broadcasting 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 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.
ASPA Executive Director Tupuimatagi Katrina Mariner says she recognizes that current operational challenges stem from past system deficiencies and aging infrastructure. She 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 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.
