FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                               February 24, 2006

HEAVY  RAINS CAUSE KAILUA SEWAGE SPILL 

            Heavy and prolonged overnight rain caused a spill of an estimated 1,625 gallons of untreated sewage from two Enchanted Lake manholes this morning.

            The spill occurred at Hele Street and Keolu Drive, near the Kailua Heights Wastewater Pumping Station, between 7:40 to 8:45 a.m. Runoff from the heavy rains entered the sewer system in such volume that it overwhelmed the pump station’s ability to move it on. This was despite several hours of work by crews from the Department of Environmental Services Collection Systems Maintenance Division to reduce the amount of water flowing into the station with pumper trucks.

            “Runoff enters a sewer system through what we call inflow and infiltration,” said Eric Takamura, director of Environmental Services. “Heavy rain and flooding causes runoff to enter the system in volumes that it was never designed to handle. That’s why it’s important for homeowners to avoid illegal connections to the municipal sewer system from gutters and drains.”

            The spilled wastewater entered a nearby storm drain that leads to Kaelepulu Pond.  Warning signs are being posted around the pond and downstream bodies of water, including Kailua Beach.  Water samples are being taken. The public is advised to heed the signs and avoid affected areas. The state Department of Health has been notified.

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Contact:

ENV Collection System Maintenance Division, 768-7272