City, County of Honolulu cited by Department of Health for Kailua Bay wastewater permit violations

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health has issued a Notice of Violation and Order to the City and County of Honolulu for discharging effluent in exceedance of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit limits from the Kailua Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant into Kailua Bay.

Between April 2023 and May 2023, the City and County of Honolulu discharged effluent from the wastewater treatment plant in exceedance of daily National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit limits for enterococci on 13 occasions, including exceeding the monthly permit limit for the month of April.

The Notice of Violation and Order requires the City and County of Honolulu to pay $434,350 in penalties related to the effluent discharges and late submission of a required discharge monitoring report.

“Discharge of pollutants above allowable limits into state waters is not acceptable,” said Kathleen Ho, Deputy Director of Environmental Health. “We will continue to take action to protect public health and the environment.”

All persons, including business owners, government agencies, and visitors must comply with environmental laws. Failure to comply with water pollution laws may subject violators to monetary penalties of up to $25,000 per day, per violation.

The Department of Health Clean Water Branch responds to water pollution of state waters. The Clean Water Branch protects public health and the environment by prohibiting discharges which impair water quality.

Owners and operators of wastewater systems must comply with environmental regulations that are in place to protect the public. Failure to do so results in legal action by the state, federal partners and/or private citizens.