ASEPA receives EPA grant for water quality monitoring and management

Pago Pago — Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed notification on Tuesday of federal funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of $436,368 for the American Samoa EPA.

“Congratulations especially to Director Fa'amao Asalele upon this grant notification, part of a five year plan,” said Aumua Amata. “Federal funds like these are essential to our local services. In this case, funding is for efforts to protect drinking water and other environmental services. Thank you to everyone at ASEPA.”

This federal award is for American Samoa EPA's Consolidated Environmental Management Program. This program has responsibility for safe drinking water, along with territorial and beach water quality monitoring, watershed management, brownfields program development and site cleanup, pesticide needs, environmental education and community outreach, and clean air management.

The funds are part of a five year planning projection of $12,682,100 over fiscal years 2019-2023. On June 1, Congresswoman Amata welcomed $2 million ($1,976,100) for the same overall program.