FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                     April 10, 2007

CITY REPAIRED BROKEN WASTEWATER PIPE

IN KANEOHE  

Crews from the City Environmental Services Department repaired a rupture in a sewer main fronting 45-007 Ka Hanahou Place at 1:46 p.m.

The break, in an 8-inch ductile iron force main (a pipe that moves wastewater under pressure), was discovered by a City employee about 8:00 a.m.  An estimated 11,250 gallons of wastewater entered nearby Kaneohe Bay before workers contained the spill.  Tanker trucks were used to divert and haul wastewater from the area while under repair.

The force main will be replaced by the end of the year with a more durable 8-inch, high-density polyethylene pipe.  The contractor was given permission on March 5 to proceed with the work, and materials are being shipped to Oahu.

Warning signs have been posted and water samples are being collected.  The public is advised to heed the warning signs and stay away from affected areas.  The state Health Department has been notified.

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Contact:

Ken Kawahara, 692-5372

Mark Matsunaga, 527-5767