NEWS RELEASE
Public Information Division
Department of Customer Services
City & County of Honolulu
523-4385

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JULY 14, 2002

WAHIAWA WASTEWATER SPILL

A malfunctioning ultra-violet light disinfection system at the Wahiawa Wastewater Treatment Plant resulted in an estimated 878,000 gallons of treated but undisinfected wastewater being released into Lake Wilson yesterday and today (July 14).

The malfunction caused the disinfection system to shutdown intermittently Saturday evening and this morning, before it was discovered during a routine check and corrected at about 11 a.m. today.

The Wahiawa plant treats its wastewater at a tertiary level, the highest level for removal of pollutants. The highly treated wastewater is then disinfected by the ultra-violet light process.

Warning signs have been posted along affected areas of Lake Wilson, and water samples will be taken and tested. The State Department of Health has been notified of the incident.

-30-