System failure behind sewage in Lake Wilson
By Walter Wright
Advertiser Staff Writer
The public should avoid boating or fishing on Lake Wilson for a week because of the spill of 878,000 gallons of "undisinfected" sewage there over the weekend, State Health Director Bruce Anderson said yesterday.
Advertiser library photo
An ultra-violet light system at the city's Wahiawa Wastewater Treatment Plant normally disinfects the wastewater after it has received tertiary treatment and before it is released into the lake, an irrigation reservoir that attracts a score of boaters and fishermen on weekends.
State Health Director Bruce Anderson advises the public to avoid Lake Wilson.
But the ultra-violet light system malfunctioned beginning Saturday night, and shut down intermittently until the problem was discovered and fixed at 11 a.m. yesterday, the city said.
"Most viruses and bacteria die within a few hours, and the treatment process itself dramatically reduces the pathogenic bacteria and viruses in sewage," Anderson said. But he suggested a week's wait as a wise precaution.
He said few if any persons swim in the lake, but that all contact with the water should be avoided during the next seven days.
Tertiary treatment is the highest level of treatment for removal of pollutants, but disinfection requires the ultra-violet light system.
The city's Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Division notified Anderson's department, posted warning signs, and said samples will be taken from the lake and tested.
The malfunction was discovered during a routine check, the city said.
Reach Walter Wright at 525-8054 or wwright@honoluluadvertiser.com.
