Posted on: Monday, February 28, 2005
City wants better fix for broken sewer line
By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser Staff Writer
NIU VALLEY — After a sewer line under Kalaniana'ole Highway broke for the third time in a month, the city is planning a more permanent solution — replacing the faulty section of pipe instead of continuing to patch it.
The city said corrosion cracks again appear to be the cause of the sewage spill.
To make sure that another rupture doesn't occur, the city is making plans to install a bypass line until it can permanently replace the 45-year-old underground sewer line, said Ken Shimizu, deputy director of the city Department of Environmental Services.
Following the previous break, which occurred Feb. 14, the city began the permitting process to install a bypass pipe from the pumping station near Niu Shopping Center, Shimizu said. A bypass line would cost the city about $780,000, Shimizu said.
The city will need the state Department of Transportation's approval for the bypass pipe because Kalaniana'ole Highway is a state road.
The force main collects untreated sewage from Kuli'ou'ou to the east and from as far away as Kalani High School to the west and pumps it through bigger pipes to the sewage treatment plant at Sand Island, Shimizu said.
Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com or 395-8831.
City crews yesterday completed repairs at the site of the latest break, which happened about 11 a.m. Saturday. Crews replaced a 20-foot section of pipe on the 16-inch sewer force main that ruptured, spilling 3,000 gallons of untreated wastewater into nearby storm drains. Warning signs were posted and the public is advised to avoid affected areas.
