FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                             September 14, 2006

UNDISINFECTED WASTEWATER DISCHARGED

INTO LAKE WILSON

            An electrical malfunction at the Wahiawa Wastewater Treatment Plant this morning resulted in the discharge of 26,555 gallons of wastewater that had been treated but not disinfected.

            The malfunction occurred in the plant’s ultraviolet disinfection unit at 8:14 a.m. It was remedied by 8:29 a.m.  Disinfection is the last step in a series of treatments performed on wastewater from the plant before it empties into the lake.

            Warning signs have been posted and water samples are being collected. The state Department of Health has been notified. The public is advised to avoid the affected waters.

Contact:  

            Ross Tanimoto, Monitoring and Compliance Branch Chief, 520-5561