FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                  February 14, 2005

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NIU SEWAGE SPILL

         Repairs on a sewer main break on Kalanianaole Highway at Niu Valley are expected to take all night and at least all day tomorrow (February 15), according to officials of the City Department of Environmental Services.

          East Honolulu commuters are advised to expect delays. Only two town-bound lanes and one Koko Head-bound lane of Kalanianaole Highway are scheduled to be open for the morning rush hour.

           Environmental Services Department crews report that the break occurred in a pipe that runs 75 yards from the Niu Valley Wastewater Pumping Station to the makai side of the highway. That pipe sustained a break on February 2. Another break on that pipe was repaired in 2001.

          Ken Shimizu, deputy director of the Department of Environmental Services, said it appears the problems are related to corrosion.  The 16-inch ductile iron pipe will be replaced or a plastic liner will have to be inserted inside it.

           An undetermined amount of untreated sewage spilled from the break, which was reported about 3 p.m.  Some of it  ran into a storm drain that leads to the ocean.

         The State Health Department has been notified and warning signs will be posted. Water quality samples will be collected to assess the impact of the spill. The public is advised to avoid affected areas.

         Contact at the scene is James Baginski, acting deputy director of the Collection System Maintenance Division, 222-9653,

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Contact: Mark Matsunaga 352-1528