Update: Brown water advisory canceled for West Hawai‘i coast after about a week

Update at 11:28 a.m. Feb. 20: The brown water advisory for the entire west coast of the Big Island, from South Point north to Pololu Valley, was canceled after being in place for about a week.

The advisory was originally put in place Feb. 13.

Original post from 1 p.m. Feb. 13: Beachgoers are advised to stay out of the water along the West Hawai‘i coast of the Big Island, from Pololu Valley all the way to South Point, after the Hawai‘i Department of Health issued a brown water advisory.

Brown or murky waters can contain higher than normal levels of pollutants, especially following storms or heavy rain.

Remember: if the water is brown, turn around.

The public should also avoid swimming, wading in or drinking water from any freshwater streams or ponds to prevent the bacterial infection leptospirosis.

State health officials recommend staying out of the water for 48 to 72 hours after heavy rainfall stops and beaches have received full sunshine.