Sewage spills in Kailua after pump failure

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer

KAILUA — Problems continued to plague a sewer replacement project on North Kalaheo Avenue when a sewage bypass pump failed during heavy rains early yesterday morning, causing waste to back up onto a vacant lot and spill from a manhole across the canal from Buzz's Original Steak House.

Although the old pipe was repaired more work had to be completed before the line could be reopened. The work was expected to be finished late yesterday and the road opened by the weekend, he said.

A backup pump was installed after the initial pump failed, but not before some 500 gallons of waste spilled out, said Tim Steinberger, director of the city Department of Design and Construction. Most of the spill was contained on the lot where a sewer connection line had not been capped after a home was demolished, Steinberger said.

The city sent crews to clean the mess and pump excess sewage to relieve pressure from the line, he said.

"They sprayed the area with a disinfectant," he said.

A pump was installed Monday when parts of the old sewer collection line broke between Ainoni and Uilama streets during construction, forcing the contractor to create a sewer bypass while the old line was being repaired.

The line was repaired late Tuesday but then heavy rains and the pump failure at about 5 a.m. yesterday resulted in the spill. The rains added to the problem because the system had become flooded with the extra water, Steinberger said.

The $17 million construction project, by Westcon Microtunneling Inc., to repair or replace some 4,300 feet of sewer lines was undertaken in part to address the infiltration problem, Steinberger said.

"The new line will have a larger capacity and will be able to accommodate the extra flow," he said.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at 234-5266 or at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.