American Samoa
American Samoa is a U.S. territory located in the South Pacific between Hawaii and New Zealand. It is made up of five islands and two atolls with a population of 60,000 people, most of whom live along the coast of the main island, Tutuila (approximately 130 square kilometers). The raising of pigs in American Samoa represents an important part of the Samoan culture. Pigs are consumed during a variety of social events, from birthdays to funerals and from weddings to farewell parties. However, pigpen (piggery) waste disposal had been largely uncontrolled until recently, resulting in volumes of untreated pig urine and feces contaminating drinking water, streams, and near shore ocean water. The impacts of pig waste on human health and water quality are critical, and illness and death due to pig-related disease are documented.
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Timeline
- In 2003: a severe case of Leptospirosis was identified.
- In 2004: a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicated that 17% of adults in American Samoa are carriers of Leptospirosis bacteria.
- In 2006: the American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency (AS-EPA) initiated a piggery compliance program to establish and regulate piggery guidelines. An island-wide GIS database of piggery locations was created, resulting in a count of 940 piggeries with a total of 7,800 on the island. 97% of the piggeries were non-compliant with environmental laws (92% of these were un-permitted). 82% discharged directly into streams, utilized open-bottom cesspools, or had improperly constructed septic tanks. 60% did not meet 50 feet setback. 997 piggeries (30%) could not meet setbacks were permanently closed
- In 2010: an environmental management program focusing on the reduction of untreated pig waste has been underway. A follow-up sero-prevalance conducted by the University of Queensland was also conducted and analyzed.
In 2011: the first Dry Litter Technology Summit & Workshop was organized by the University of Hawaii, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources in cooperation with American Samoa Community College (ASCC), American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the American Samoa Soil and Water Conservation District.
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Status of Piggery Operations
In 2006, when AS-EPA surveys found approximately 8,300 pigs contained in 1,005 piggeries, it concluded that only 3% were compliant with current regulations. Local government laws require that all piggeries be located at least 50 feet from a dwelling or water body, and located at least 100 feet from a public water well. The law also requires that all pigs be kept in a pen, and that pig waste be properly treated in a manner that does not impact public health or the environment. After the inventory/education phase, spatial analysis was used to identify those piggeries that presented a major threat to human health, focusing on those located within 50 feet of streams in highly populated villages.
ASCC Demonstration
An existing piggery at the American Samoa Community College Land Grant was renovated to demonstrate a variety of environmentally friendly pig waste management techniques. The project was co-funded by the Coral Reef Advisory Group and AS-EPA. Four types of piggery waste management systems: are featured: Dry litter, Portable, Ihaka Washdown, and Septic System Washdown.
First EQIP Funded Piggery
Resources specifically for American Samoa
American Samoa EPA's Piggery Compliance.
American Samoa EPA. Principles of Composting Pig Waste in American Samoa.
American Samoa EPA. Dry Litter Piggery Inspection Checklist.