Chatan Mayor asks Enterprise Bureau to stop use of contaminated water from Kadena

Chatan Mayor asks Enterprise Bureau to stop use of contaminated water from Kadena


October 22, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

Regarding the issue of carcinogenic chemicals including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) being detected in water from a group of wells on a U.S. military base in Kadena, which are sources of water for Chatan Water Treatment Plant, on October 20 Mayor Masaharu Noguni of Chatan Town paid a visit to Director Norimi Tanahara of the Prefectural Enterprise Bureau and submitted a letter requesting that the safety of tap water be maintained. In the letter Mayor Noguni requested that the plant stop taking in water from this group of wells, that other sources of water be secured, and that appropriate measures be taken to remove contaminants.

The request was released to the press corps prior to the visit. Mayor Noguni, in an interview after voicing his objection, said that Director Tanahara had put emphasis on the fact that the total value of PFOS and PFOA per 1 liter of water will decrease year by year and had explained that the amount of water being brought in from these sources is being reduced. In response to an inquiry regarding stopping the use of water from these sources, Director Tanahara said, “Given that we must also make provisions against water shortage and the like, it will be difficult”.

Mayor Noguni stated: “Given that there are differences in water depending on the region, we cannot grasp [the effects]. Although the value [of PFOS/PFOA per liter] is decreasing, the apprehension cannot be completely erased. I hope for continuous improvements”.
(English translation by T&CT and Erin Jones)

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