FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                             September 3, 2006

SEWAGE SPILL REPORTED IN HALAWA

             City crews responded this afternoon to a sewage spill in Halawa that was apparently caused by a grease buildup.

            The spill was reported at 2:41 p.m. near 99-166 Kalaloa Street. A crew from the Collection System Maintenance Division of the Department of Environmental Services arrived at 2:53 p.m. and found a 15-inch line blocked by grease.

            An estimated 1,180 gallons of untreated wastewater spilled. An estimated 1,000 gallons of that entered a storm drain that leads to Halawa Stream. However, the crew confined the wastewater to the storm drain and removed it before it entered the stream.

            The City workers cleared the line and cleaned and disinfected the area, including the storm drain.

            Water samples were taken. The public is advised to avoid the area. The state Department of Health has been notified.

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Contact:

   Lori Kahikina-Moniz, assistant chief, Collection System Maintenance Division, 768-7220