In the ongoing battle over who owns the land that houses the Northern District Wastewater Treatment Plant between the Guam Waterworks Authority and Core Tech International, the supreme court has granted GWA permission to file an appeal in the land dispute case. This follows the Superior Court of Guam's orders that favored Core Tech. KUAM spoke with GWA general manager Miguel Bordallo on what this means moving forward.

“Did the superior court err in finding Core Tech holds title to the plant property as a matter of law?” It’s this narrow issue presented by the Guam Waterworks Authority that led the supreme court to grant GWA’s request to file an appeal in the land dispute case between Core Tech International. As KUAM previously reported, the controversy revolves around ownership of the property where the Northern District Wastewater Treatment Plant sits.

Bordallo said he’s pleased with the supreme court’s decision, telling KUAM News, “The Supreme Court has acknowledged that the issue is important enough and urgent enough that they granted us permission to file this interlocutory appeal. We’re pleased about that–I think it supports the position of the governor and the legislature, which both filed amicus briefs."

More specifically, the court finding that GWA’s amended petition raises a question of law that could “materially advance the termination of the litigation or clarify further proceedings.” In its order, the supreme court also noted that resolving this issue could encourage both parties to negotiate remaining claims, potentially saving significant time and resources for all involved.

According to GWA, Core Tech is seeking $220 million in damages and future rent payments - a cost that could ultimately fall on GWA ratepayers. “I can't say that’s a firm number that anyone has approved," continued Bordallo. "It still needs to be vetted in the lower court if the trial continues. But at this point, if that were based on those amounts, it would cost every ratepayer about $5,000 outside of their own pockets.”

Despite the Superior Court of Guam’s order in favor of Core Tech, Bordallo remains steadfast in his position that Core Tech does not own the land. He also emphasized the far-reaching implications if Core Tech is deemed the property's rightful owner, saying, “It would put at risk our ability to move forward with capital improvement projects, it would affect our relationship with our bondholders—it would also affect our ongoing commitment to the military for the millions of dollars in grant funds that they have given to upgrade that plant."

KUAM reached out to Core Tech for comment. No word yet when parties will be back in court.