Windward sewage spills keeping many out of water

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer

WINDWARD — After thousands of gallons of wastewater spilled into the ocean in Windward O'ahu, the public mostly is heeding warning signs and staying out of the water.

A crew from the Collection Systems Maintenance Division of the Department of Environmental Services collects wastewater from the sewer line near Ka'elepulu Stream in Kailua. A sewage spill prompted warning signs on beaches in Kailua and other areas. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Lifeguards at Kailua and Waimanalo said the signs, which indicate a sewage spill or contaminated water, will be up for several days.

Signs are also posted at Ke'ehi Lagoon, Kalihi Stream, Wahiawa Reservoir, Pearl Harbor, and Poka'i Bay in Wai'anae.

Heavy rain from the weekend storm overwhelmed Windward sewage systems, causing more than 140,000 gallons of untreated and partially treated sewage to spill, some of which ended up in Ka'elepulu Stream, Kailua Bay and Kawa Stream and Kane'ohe Bay.

Some 108,000 gallons of untreated sewage spilled from sewer manhole covers on Wanaao Road in Kailua until 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. The overflow drained into storm drains that flowed to Ka'elepulu Stream and Kailua Beach.

With overcast skies and chilly weather yesterday, the few people that were at Kailua Beach were not tempted to go into the water. They also said they were obeying the signs.

But one Canadian decided to take a chance Tuesday, saying he's been in waters that he considers worse.

"I'm concerned but I tried not to put my face the water," said Murray Clarke, who went kite sailing at Kailua. "I just try to keep my head above water."

Wind conditions for kite sailing weren't good yesterday according to Michael McKinney, 28, but he said he wouldn't go in because of a one-inch gash on his leg that hadn't healed.

McKinney wondered how long the signs would be up and complained that more hadn't been done to prevent the spill.

"Why couldn't they suck it out, close it off, contain it and suck it back, just like an oil spill?" he asked.

Kailua's situation should improve once the city completes renovation of its sewer collection system, said Libby Stoddard, environmental engineer with the state Department of Health. The project will relieve choke points that cause sewage to back up when rain infiltrates the system, Stoddard said.

The spills are under investigation, but she said the state does not take action for a single spill. However the city is under a consent decree to reduce the number of spills on O'ahu.

"The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the Department of Health are reviewing this situation," Stoddard said.

Only about a dozen people were on Kailua Beach late yesterday morning, including two Japanese tourists who said they went in for a moment, but the water was too cold. They said they didn't know about the problem, even though there were about a dozen signs in the area around them.

Two California women said the problem is familiar to them and they would not risk getting sick.

"We're rule followers," said Genie Ideman from Long Beach, Calif. "I figure if it was OK to go in the water, they wouldn't have signs that say don't go in the water."

Almost 25,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater was discharged into the ocean from the Kane'ohe Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Students from the Marimed Foundation that were about to set sail in Kane'ohe yesterday were surprised to hear of the spill. One youth didn't want to go in but another thought it might be safe as long as they were in the boat.

Their group leader said he would postpone the sail until he could learn more.

Some 18,215 gallons of treated wastewater overflowed the Waimanalo Treatment Plant over the weekend, but the spill was contained on or just outside the plant property.

Warning signs were posted at Waimanalo Beaches as a precaution, a city official said.

Only one couple was on Waimanalo Beach at noon, and they took a photograph and left, saying they would wait until the water was cleaner and it got warmer before going in.

A team from the city Department of Environmental Services was collecting water samples in the three Windward communities yesterday. Officials said the results should be known today.

Some 16 sites were being tested, eight in Kailua and four each in Waimanalo and Kane'ohe, said city employee Jesus Victorino.

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