Travis Robert Spaeth said the levels of PFAS in many parts of Saipan exceed new federal safety standards and could pose longterm health risks. Photo: AFP / FRED TANNEAU
A top environmental official has advised Saipan residents, particularly those living in southern villages, not to drink from the tap due to widespread contamination from PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) - also known as "forever chemicals" - found in the island's water supply.
CNMI Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality (BECQ) safe drinking water program manager Travis Robert Spaeth said the levels of PFAS in many parts of Saipan exceed new federal safety standards and could pose longterm health risks.
"If you live down south, I don't know that you should [drink the tap water]. I really don't," Spaeth said during a public seminar on 8 May hosted by Northern Marianas College's Environmental and Natural Resources Organisation (ENRO).
Spaeth said the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation (CUC) and BECQ have been tracking PFAS contamination on Saipan since 2015, particularly in areas near the airport where firefighting foam - one of the most common sources of PFAS - was historically used.
Although water filtration systems using granular activated carbon, or GAC, have been installed, he said PFAS levels fluctuate and often exceed limits set by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
PFAS are manmade chemicals used in firefighting foam, nonstick cookware, water-repellent clothing, and food packaging.
Known for their resistance to breaking down in the environment, they accumulate in the body over time and have been linked to a range of health problems, including reproductive issues, developmental delays, liver damage, and certain cancers.
"These compounds are everywhere," Spaeth said.
"They're in our water, soil, air, even in the food we eat. And because they don't break down easily, they're incredibly difficult to remove."
ENRO president and event moderator Mark Pangelinan said the seminar aimed to raise public awareness about a growing environmental threat.
"Growing up, we always knew that we shouldn't drink the faucet water," Pangelinan said. "But I never realised just how severe the contamination was."
Pangelinan said learning about PFAS through college courses and now witnessing its increasing coverage in the media gave him hope that more attention and resources would be directed toward solving the problem.
"As Mr Spaeth mentioned, there are steps being taken like desalination and other treatment strategies. But there's still so much work to be done," he said. "The best we can do now as citizens is to spread awareness and support more outreach events like this."
Pangelinan closed his remarks with a simple message: "Don't drink the tap water, please."
Travis Robert Spaeth with participants at the public seminar on 8 May hosted by Northern Marianas College’s Environmental and Natural Resources Organisation. Photo: Mark Rabago
'Levels hundreds of times higher'
Recent sampling showed that 64 of 73 CUC wells tested had PFAS detections above new EPA thresholds, with six wells measuring 10 times higher than allowed levels.
In Spaeth's presentation, the south-central and southern parts of Saipan were identified as the most severely affected.
"The EPA's new limit is just four parts per trillion. On Saipan, we have areas with levels hundreds of times higher," he said.
He added that some CUC wells had historically exceeded 70 parts per trillion, the older health advisory threshold, and that water in those areas is not safe to drink or cook with.
While GAC units temporarily reduce PFAS levels, the media inside them must be replaced every two years, or sooner. "Once the media is exhausted, PFAS starts breaking through again," Spaeth explained.
Spaeth reassured residents that bottled water produced on Saipan and water used at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) hospital are currently free of PFAS due to reverse osmosis filtration systems.
"All bottled water companies are using reverse osmosis, and we haven't detected PFAS in any of them," he said. "CHCC's water is also safe."
Spaeth said that residents in affected areas should continue using bottled water for drinking and cooking, and avoid relying on tap water unless they have tested and verified home filtration systems.
With no regional water testing labs and high shipping and disposal costs, Spaeth noted that managing PFAS in the CNMI is more expensive and difficult than in mainland jurisdictions.
The CNMI has been a leader among territories in adopting local PFAS limits, but now faces pressure to meet stricter federal standards by 2029.
"There's a possibility that desalination could be a long-term solution," Spaeth said, "but it's costly and power-intensive."
He also warned of potential contamination of fruits, vegetables, fish, and livestock due to PFAS bioaccumulation in the environment-though the CNMI has not yet conducted local food testing.
"This is a serious issue for Saipan. It's affecting our wells, our homes, and possibly our food supply," he said. "The water's not drinkable in many places-and it's going to take years to fix."
Spaeth said the CNMI will have until 2029 to comply with the EPA's new PFAS rules, but acknowledged that meeting these standards will require funding, technical support, and long-term infrastructure changes.
Testing and disposal are more difficult and expensive in island jurisdictions, and Saipan lacks a certified PFAS testing lab.
"Desalination could be a future option, but it's costly and energy-intensive," he said.
Spaeth warned that PFAS contamination could also affect local agriculture and fisheries through environmental bioaccumulation, though no formal food testing has yet been conducted in the CNMI.
