FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            September 23, 2005

Release No. ENV-29

HEAVY RAINS CAUSE KANEOHE SEWAGE SPILLS

Crews from the City Department of Environmental Services responded to two sewage spills in Kaneohe that occurred when runoff from extremely heavy rains entered the sewage system this evening  (Friday, Sept. 23, 2005).

One spill was reported at 5:15 p.m. at the Punawai pump station across Kamehameha Highway from King Intermediate School. Untreated wastewater was detected overflowing from a manhole at the station. The spill was brought under control at 6:45 p.m. An estimated 22,500 gallons spilled. Most of it entered a nearby gully that empties into Kaneohe Bay near Kealohi Point.

A second spill was reported at 5:30 p.m. at the Kaneohe wastewater pretreatment facility on Kulauli Street in the Waikalua area of Kaneohe. An estimated 50,000 gallons overflowed from a manhole on the grounds of the facility before the spill was contained at 6:05 p.m. Some of the spilled wastewater entered nearby Kaneohe Stream, which empties into Kaneohe Bay.

City crews are posting warning signs in both areas.  Water samples are being taken and the state Health Department has been notified. The public is advised to heed the signs and avoid affected areas.

“The rainfall was heavy and concentrated in a brief period of time,” said Environmental Services Director Eric Takamura. “Rainwater that gets into our sewage disposal system creates problems like these. That is why we have a program to educate homeowners that it is illegal to connect gutters and yard drains to the sewer system.”

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Contact:

Mark Matsunaga, 352-1528

Kevin Nakamura, Windward Regional Wastewater Superintendent, 254-4063