Brown Water Advisory Spans Large East Hawai’i Area

Heavy rains, a byproduct of Hilda, currently a remnant low, has forced the Hawai’i State Department of Health Clean Water Branch to issue a Brown Water Advisory as storm runoff is entering coastal waters.

The advisory is in effect in areas spanning a good portion of East Hawai’i from Laupahoehoe to Volcano.

DOH officials say the public should avoid flood waters and storm water runoff as the water has the possibility of containing overflow from cesspools, sewers, manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals, and flood debris.

Not all coastal areas will be impacted by the runoff, however, if the water is brown, officials advise staying out of the water.