Electrical failure causes 71,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater to discharge into Puhi Bay in Hilo
The discharge occurred Monday night through the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant's ocean outfall, located about three-quarters of a mile offshore in Puhi Bay.
Due to an electrical failure at the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant, approximately 71,000 gallons of partially treated, fully disinfected wastewater were discharged Monday Night into Puhi Bay, according to Hawaiʻi County.
The county’s Department of Environmental Management reported that the incident happened between 9:06 and 9:55 p.m. on Sept. 21. The dischrage was through the facility’s ocean outfall, located about three-quarters of a mile offshore in Puhi Bay.
In response, crews took immediate remedial actions, including conducting emergency repairs to restore power. Other emergency response procedures also were initiated, including notifying the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, the county said.
The county will post warning signs along the shoreline from Puhi Bay to the Hilo Breakwater as a precaution. The warning signs will remain in place until testing confirms that bacteria levels are within acceptable limits and the Department of Health authorizes their removal.
The county’s Wastewater Division will also conduct daily shoreline water sampling to monitor bacterial contamination levels.
The public will be advised when bacterial sampling confirms that levels are safe for shoreline activities.
