FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2004

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

            Electrical power interruptions affected the Wahiawa Wastewater Treatment Plant today (January 14), causing discharges into Lake Wilson totaling 53,129 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 10:42 a.m., knocking the UV equipment off-line for four minutes and causing a discharge of about 2,875 gallons.  Disruptions occurred again from 11:40 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. (42,060 gallons), then from 1:17 p.m. to 1:21 p.m. (8,194 gallons).  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. 

-30-