Nearly 9 million gallons of sewage spilled in Windward waters after weekend storms
COURTESY PHOTO
A sign posted at Kailua Beach this morning warned beachgoers to stay out of the water.
• Storms hit Maui, Big Isle first; all islands under flash flood watch
Sunday’s heavy downpours resulted in roughly 8.8 million gallons of rain-induced sewage spills in Windward Oahu, keeping city crews busy and resulting in numerous state Health Department advisories for the area.
An estimated 6.5 million gallons of sewage flowed from the Kaneohe Pretreatment facility Sunday afternoon, and continued until 12:20 a.m. Monday, according to the city Department of Environmental Services. The public is advised to stay out of the waters of Kawa Stream near the facility. Another estimated 2.2 gallons of sewage flowed from the Ahuimanu Pretreatment Facility on Sunday, and continued until 12:05 a.m. Monday.
At Kaneohe Bay, an estimated 1,200 gallons from two manholes near 45-1072 Grote Road by Kaneohe Beach Park resulted from the rains on Sunday. The public is advised to remain out of waters between Bayside Place and Mikiola Drive.
In addition, an estimated 63,765 gallons flowed from a manhole fronting 137 Popoia Road Sunday evening during a seven-hour period, which flows into nearby Kaelepulu Stream and empties into Kailua Beach. City crews were only able to recover about 6,750 gallons. Another 35,630 gallons spilled from two locations at Kawailoa Road, all of which city crews were able to recover.
The public is advised to stay out of Kaelepulu Stream near Kawailoa Road, and the coastal waters fronting Kailua Beach Park.
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The wastewater discharge advisories for the area remained in effect as of Thursday afternoon, in addition to numerous brown water advisories originally issued on Wednesday.
A brown water advisory is in effect for the North Shore of Oahu, in addition to Kailua and Lanikai beach parks due to heavy rains resulting in stormwater runoff entering coastal waters.
This afternoon, brown water advisories also remained in effect for Kokololio on Oahu, Kapoho on Hawaii island, and the islands of Maui and Kauai.
The public is advised to stay out of flood waters and storm water runoff due to possible contamination from cesspools, sewers, manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals and associated flood debris. While not all coastal areas may be affected by runoff, it is best to stay out if the water is brown.
Warning signs have been posted. Updates and maps are available here.
