EPA requests data on sewage spills
By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer
Chronic sewage spills into Kalihi and Nu'uanu streams over the past five years have prompted the Environmental Protection Agency to order the city to provide information about what Honolulu officials are doing to remedy the problem.
EPA inspectors believe there have been 33 spills into Nu'uanu and Kalihi streams between April 1998 and April 2003. They range from 25 gallons to 58,100 gallons.
The EPA told the city it has until Aug. 31 to respond. The city must list the number of spills and what efforts are being taken to repair and maintain leaky sewage pipes.
"We're reviewing the EPA order and preparing our response, which we believe will be found to be more than satisfactory," said Carol Costa, city spokeswoman.
Both streams are known to be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria, which can cause gastrointestinal infections and skin or ear infections, the EPA says.
In the past, the city has posted signs warning people to avoid contact with contaminated water. The EPA suspects the spills came from leaks in old and deteriorated sewage pipes near the streams.
Federal officials have the authority to request the information under a 1995 consent decree between the EPA and the city. The court order requires the city to implement a 20-year sewer rehabilitation and replacement program.
The EPA is charged with monitoring the city's progress during an $885 million repair and replacement program.
"We are trying to help the city comply with the consent agreement to upgrade their collection system," said Dean Higuchi, EPA spokesman in Honolulu. "This is one of the areas where there has been some chronic spills."
A failure to respond would subject the city to fines and other civil action, Higuchi said.
"As many of O'ahu's streams flow through densely populated areas, it's important for the city to place a priority on repairing pipes that have chronic spills," said Alexis Strauss, director of the water division for the EPA's Pacific Southwest Region.
Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8012.
