Update: High bacteria count notification for portion of Wailuku River canceled

Update at 5:32 p.m. Aug. 1: A high bacteria count notification for a portion of the Wailuku River on the Big Island has been canceled. The Hawai‘i State Department of Health reports water sample retesting results show enterococci levels no longer exceed the acceptable threshold level.

Original post from 5:51 p.m. July 31: The Hawai‘i State Department of Health is retesting Wailuku River B on the Big Island.

Levels of 164 per 100 mL were detected during routine beach monitoring – but the Department of Health is uncertain about the representativeness of the first sample.

This beach has historically met the acceptable beach threshold level, and there is no known source of fecal contamination. Therefore, the Department of Health has collected another sample and is retesting the site.

The Department of Health will update the notification based on the results of this retesting.

For more information, view an interactive map here and the EPA webpage dedicated to health at the beach.