Update: Brown water advisory canceled for Hilo Bay and along Hāmākua Coast

Update at 12:40 p.m. March 28: State health officials on Friday — 16 days after issuing the advisory because of heavy rainfall along the windward slopes of the Big Island — canceled a brown water advisory that was in place for Hilo Bay and along Hāmākua Coast to the northern-most point of the island.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health Clean Water Branch put the advisory in place the afternoon of March 11 and advised beachgoers and ocean enthusiasts to stay out of the waters — which at the time likely appeared brown or murky — in those areas because of a threat of higher than normal pollutants being washed into them from storm runoff.

Original post at 2:48 p.m. March 11: A brown water advisory is in effect for Hilo Bay and along the Hāmākua Coast to the northern-most point of the Big Island because of runoff associated with recent heavy rains along the island’s windward slopes.

Hawai‘i Department of Health officials advise beachgoers and ocean enthusiasts to stay out of waters that appear brown or murky in the advisory areas.

The water could contain higher than normal pollutant levels.

State Health Department recommendations also include staying out of the water for 48 to 72 hours after stormy weather or heavy rainfall ends and returning only once a beach has received full sunshine.

Members of the public also should not swim, wade in or drink water from any freshwater streams or ponds to prevent leptospirosis, which is a bacterial infection caused by the Leptospira bacteria.

Click here for additional information about leptospirosis.

It’s always good policy to remember: If the water is brown, turn around.