FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE              
January 23, 2004

 ELECTRICAL DISRUPTIONS CAUSE DISCHARGE OF TREATED BUT UNDISINFECTED WASTEWATER INTO LAKE WILSON

            An electrical power interruption at the Wahiawa Wastewater Treatment Plant last night (January 22) resulted in a discharge into Lake Wilson of 29,670 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 power flicker began at approximately 11:40 p.m., knocking the UV equipment off-line for 15 minutes. The system re-set itself and resumed normal functions once power was stabilized. 

            Warning signs have been posted, samples are being taken, and the State Department of Health has been notified.  Since the discharged effluent was processed up to the level of disinfection, State Health officials consider the discharge a “disinfection bypass” and not a sewage spill. 

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