Posted on: Thursday, October 3, 2002
EPA cites city for bacteria, pesticides
By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Science Writer
The Environmental Protection Agency has cited the city for allowing pesticides and live bacteria to be released from its Sand Island deep ocean sewage outfall.
"The city and county of Honolulu are behind in meeting permit obligations for the Sand Island facility. It is critical that Honolulu take accelerated steps to move into compliance," said Wayne Nastri, EPA Pacific Southwest region administrator.
City officials insist that they are doing everything they can to comply with federal regulations, and that there is no danger to the public or to marine life.
The EPA said the long-banned pesticides chlordane and dieldrin are regularly being found, although in very small amounts, in sewage at the Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant.
"These are legacy pesticides — banned pesticides that aren't in use any more, but which are very persistent," said Tom Huetteman, chief of the EPA's Clean Water Act Compliance Office.
He said the chemicals, used to kill termites and other insects, are probably entering the collection system through water that seeps into the sewers from areas where there were pesticide treatments of the ground under buildings.
Gary Gill, the state's deputy health director for the environment, said Honolulu has groundwater contaminated with these chemicals, and "it is likely that we have in infiltration-inflow problem" that lets the old chemicals seep into sewer lines.
A similar problem occurs across the country, and particularly in warmer areas, like Honolulu and New Orleans, Huetteman said.
"We are talking about very low concentrations. But they are potential human carcinogens, and can get into fish tissue. The city has to come up with a plan, but we do recognize that in this pesticide case, it's a challenge," Huetteman said.
City officials said they have been trying to identify the source of the pesticides, but have not yet been able to do so, in part because levels are so low.
City managing director Ben Lee said the chemicals may be getting into the sewers when people pour pesticides down the toilet or into drains.
"These are very, very small amounts that do not pose any danger to health or marine life at our deep ocean outfall. Nevertheless, it is important for residents of our city to dispose of poisonous chemicals and pesticides in an appropriate way," Lee said. He said people with questions about disposal can call 692-5411.
The EPA also expressed concern about delays in the city's completion of its new plant to disinfect sewage before it is pumped to the outfall. The ultraviolet light disinfection plant should have been in operation by now, but completion is still more than a year off, Huetteman said.
In the meantime, bacteria like enterococcus continue to be released, he said. "The enterococcus bacteria discharge limit will probably be violated continuously until the new disinfection facility is brought on line," the EPA said in a news release.
Lee said the city has been keeping the EPA informed on its construction progress and will submit its latest compliance schedule by the EPA deadline of Dec. 1. He said the $70 million disinfection facility is scheduled to be completed in December 2003.
"The Sand Island disinfection project is a very complex project and has run into some delays. We are proceeding as quickly as we can," said Carol Costa, city public information officer.
If the city does not comply with the Dec. 1 deadline, the EPA could seek penalties of up to $27,500 per day.
Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser
.com or (808)245-3074.
