FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                     February 2, 2005

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Contact: Mark Matsunaga, 352-1528

NIU VALLEY PUMP STATION SPILL UPDATE 2

           Two west-bound lanes of Kalanianaole Highway at Niu Valley are closed to allow repairs on a broken sewer main. (NOTE: The previous release incorrectly stated that repairs had been completed.)

        The break occurred about 7:30 a.m. near the Niu Valley Wastewater Pumping Station at 5712 Kalanianaole Highway.   Untreated wastewater spilled from the 16-inch pipe until 9:15, when the flow was diverted from the pump station.

        City Environmental Services Department crews are using tanker trucks to haul the wastewater to Wailupe, where it is being emptied into a sewer main.

         Before that bypass operation began, an estimated 2,025 gallons of untreated wastewater spilled into a storm drain that leads to the ocean.

         The state Department of Health has been notified and pollution warning signs are being posted. Water quality samples are being collected to assess the impact of the spill. The public is advised to avoid the affected areas.

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