FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE              
July 31, 2003

BRIEF ELECTRICAL DISRUPTION CAUSES DISCHARGE OF UNDISINFECTED TREATED WASTEWATER INTO LAKE WILSON

An electrical power flicker at the Wahiawa Wastewater Treatment Plant last night (July 30) resulted in a spill into Lake Wilson of 3,500 gallons of effluent that had undergone tertiary treatment, but not the final ultraviolet (UV) disinfection.  (Tertiary treatment is a high level of wastewater treatment.)

            The brief power disruption occurred at 11:52 p.m., knocking the UV equipment off-line for four minutes.  The system re-set itself and resumed normal functions once power was restored. 

            Warning signs are being posted, samples are being taken, and the State Department of Health has been notified.

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