State health officials are advising the public to remain out of the waters from Puhi Bay to Onekahakaha on Hawaii island due to a large wastewater spill in Hilo.
The Hawaii Department of Health estimates a total of 71,000 gallons of partially treated sewage spilled into the bay from the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The spill occurred from 9:06 p.m. to 9:55 p.m. on Monday night, according to the Hawaii County Department of Environmental Management. The “process bypass” resulted in about 71,000 gallons of partially treated, fully disinfected wastewater being discharged to the ocean outfall about three-quarters of a mile offshore at Puhi Bay.
“The cause of the bypass was an electrical failure,” said the department in a news release. “In response, crews took immediate remedial actions, including conducting emergency repairs to restore power. In addition, emergency response procedures were initiated that included notification of the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH).”
The county has posted warning signs along the shoreline from Puhi Bay to the Hilo Breakwater as a precautionary measure. The county’s wastewater division will be conducting daily shoreline sampling to monitor bacterial contamination levels. Warning signs will remain up until bacterial levels are within acceptable limits.
The public is advised to remain out of all waters from Puhi Bay to Onekahakaha until the warning signs have been removed.
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Additionally, DOH reminds the public that a brown water advisory also remains in place for waters from the Hamakua Coast to Hilo Bay.