Hawaii American Water Reports Release of Un-Disinfected effluent to Ocean Outfall
HONOLULU, HI. (August 26, 2015) - Hawaii American Water reports that a failure of an underground electrical line at its East Honolulu Wastewater Treatment Plant on Aug. 25 resulted in the release of approximately 1 million gallons of treated un-disinfected plant effluent. The effluent had undergone all normal processing including biological treatment, but was not disinfected with chlorine before discharge to our ocean outfall. The problem occurred when power to the chlorine pumps that add the chemical to the treated effluent was interrupted. When the problem was discovered a temporary power line was placed into service. A new permanent power line is being installed today. “We regret this incident and are working to replace the power line that failed yesterday,” said Hawaii American Water Manager Lee Mansfield. “We work hard every day to provide excellent service and maintain the trust of our customers and our community.” The failure did not pose a significant risk to the ocean-going public because the wastewater had been treated and our outfall discharges a quarter of a mile off-shore at a depth of approximately 40 feet. Hawaii American has informed the Department of Health and signs are being posted at Sandy Beach. In addition, Hawaii American has increased its frequency of shoreline sampling from once every six days to every day to determine possible impacts. Hawaii American Water’s East Honolulu Wastewater Treatment Plant serves the Hawaii Kai Community and is located across from Sandy Beach.
Hawaii American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), provides quality wastewater services to approximately 30,000 people. Founded in 1886, American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest and most geographically diversified publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs 6,800 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found at www.amwater.com.
Lee Mansfield
Cell: 808-864-7079
Email: lee.mansfield@amwater.com
HONOLULU, HI. (August 26, 2015) - Hawaii American Water reports that a failure of an underground electrical line at its East Honolulu Wastewater Treatment Plant on Aug. 25 resulted in the release of approximately 1 million gallons of treated un-disinfected plant effluent. The effluent had undergone all normal processing including biological treatment, but was not disinfected with chlorine before discharge to our ocean outfall. The problem occurred when power to the chlorine pumps that add the chemical to the treated effluent was interrupted. When the problem was discovered a temporary power line was placed into service. A new permanent power line is being installed today. “We regret this incident and are working to replace the power line that failed yesterday,” said Hawaii American Water Manager Lee Mansfield. “We work hard every day to provide excellent service and maintain the trust of our customers and our community.” The failure did not pose a significant risk to the ocean-going public because the wastewater had been treated and our outfall discharges a quarter of a mile off-shore at a depth of approximately 40 feet. Hawaii American has informed the Department of Health and signs are being posted at Sandy Beach. In addition, Hawaii American has increased its frequency of shoreline sampling from once every six days to every day to determine possible impacts. Hawaii American Water’s East Honolulu Wastewater Treatment Plant serves the Hawaii Kai Community and is located across from Sandy Beach.
Hawaii American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), provides quality wastewater services to approximately 30,000 people. Founded in 1886, American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest and most geographically diversified publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs 6,800 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found at www.amwater.com.
Lee Mansfield
Cell: 808-864-7079
Email: lee.mansfield@amwater.com