Department of Environmental Services

ENV responds to wastewater spills following heavy rains

HONOLULU The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services (ENV) responded to one spill at the Kailua Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (KRWWTP) and two sanitary sewer overflows on O‘ahu following heavy rains yesterday and today. 

A spill within the KRWWTP, on the mauka side of the plant at the biowtower pump station, began at 10:30 p.m.  The spill was fully stopped by 1:05 a.m. Friday morning.  An estimated 38,815 gallons of partially treated wastewater overflowed to the makai perimeter of the KRWWTP into a stormwater swale which conveys water to Nuʻupia Pond and Kāneʻohe Bay.  Multiple sequential HECO power outages and complications with KRWWTP’s standby power system disrupted the plant’s ability to pump wastewater through the treatment system.  Additionally, the KRWWTP was experiencing very high wastewater flows from heavy rains.  

Heavy rains caused a series of overflows from a manhole near 5311 Kalanianaʻole Highway. The spill began at 7:00 p.m. yesterday afternoon and an ENV crew was able to fully contain it by 2:00 a.m. this morning. Approximately 6,400 gallons of stormwater mixed with untreated wastewater spilled, but the crew successfully recovered the entire amount using a Vactor truck.

Heavy rains caused a series of overflows from a manhole near 1521 8th Avenue.  The spill began at approximately 11:00 a.m. yesterday morning and an ENV crew was able to fully contain it by 6:45 p.m. yesterday afternoon.  Approximately 3,600 gallons of untreated wastewater spilled into a nearby storm drain that flows into Pālolo Stream.

ENV immediately notified the Hawai‘i Department of Health following each spill.  ENV crews cleaned, disinfected, and deodorized the areas surrounding the sewer overflows.  Warning signs will be posted in the affected areas.

ENV reminds the public to avoid affected waterways and to heed any posted warning signs. ENV urges residents to report any sewer concerns to its 24/7 wastewater trouble call line at (808) 768-7272.

─ PAU ─

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