70K Gallons of Waste Spills from Kulaimano Wastewater Plant

A pump failure at the Kulaimano Wastewater Treatment Plant in Peepekeo on Sunday caused a 70,000 gallon dump of partially treated sewage in the area.

The County of Hawai’i Department of Environmental Management’s Wastewater Division reports that the incident happened between Sunday, Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 24.

According to the County’s Wastewater Division Chief, Dora Beck, the water malfunction caused solid, partially treated waste to combine with waste being exited.

Efforts to resolve the issue were temporarily fixed by diverting an empty tank.

Warning signs have been posted at the shoreline in the area. The signs warn members of the public that the area is closed to swimming, fishing, and boating activities as a precaution.

Once the State of Hawai’i Department of Health approves that the area is safe, the signs will be removed.