FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                               February 16, 2005

Release E-17

NIU SEWAGE SPILL UPDATE

         Repairs on a ruptured sewer main at Niu Valley were completed early this morning (Wednesday, February 16). All lanes of Kalanianaole Highway in that area are open for traffic this morning.

          Department of Environmental Services workers found several holes and cracks along the bottom of the pipe and replaced a five-foot section overnight.

          Steel plates have been installed temporarily to allow traffic to pass. The plates will be removed and road restoration is expected to be completed by tomorrow (Thursday).

        The 16-inch force main carries untreated sewage from the Niu Wastewater Pumping Station. It was reported leaking about 3 p.m. Monday.

        The nearby Niu Wastewater Pumping Station was shut down in order to remove the pressure in the pipe.  A trench was dug to expose the pipe, which crosses Kalanianaole Highway underground. Pump trucks were used to remove groundwater and wastewater from the trench and to remove wastewater  from the idled pumping station.

        Those trucks emptied their loads into the sewer system at Wailupe. The shuttle operation has ended, and the pumping station has resumed pushing sewage through the main.

         Department of Environmental Services officials say the pipe, which also ruptured on Feb. 2, was installed in 1959 and will eventually have to be replaced, as a city capital improvement project.

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Contact:    Mark Matsunaga 352-1528