Posted on: Monday, January 31, 2005

Trash illegally dumped in sewer

Advertiser Staff

A city official asked the public to help keep O'ahu's sewer system free of trash, after construction debris was found in a pipe where the largest of Saturday's six sewage spills happened.

Crews pulled plywood, plastic bags and 4x4 wooden posts out of a 12-inch-diameter sewer main along Kalaniana'ole Highway near Hawai'i Loa Ridge, where an estimated 100,000 gallons of untreated sewage spilled from a manhole during heavy rain Saturday.

The only way for such debris to get into the sewers is for someone to open a manhole and dump it in, which is illegal, city officials said.

"If we can educate the public that only wastewater can be handled in our systems, it would help us, especially in times of heavy rain," said Eric Takamura, acting director of the city's Environmental Services Branch.

In all, more than 160,000 gallons of sewage spilled at six sites, the city said.

Pollution warning signs will continue to be posted at Salt Lake and Kawaiku'i Beach Park in East Honolulu until the state Department of Health gives the OK, Takamura said.

In addition to the Hawai'i Loa spill, other sewage spills triggered by Saturday's deluge were:

• 40,000 gallons at Kawaihae Street and May Way.

• 10,000 gallons at 5703-L Kalaniana'ole Highway.

• 5,000 gallons from a manhole at the Navy-Marine Golf Course.

• 5,000 gallons at the Aliamanu No. 2 pumping station at 4230 Salt Lake Blvd.

• 700 gallons at the Waimanalo Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Saturday's rain dumped more than 5 inches of water in parts of East Honolulu and was nearly as heavy over other parts of O'ahu, snarling traffic and causing several mudslides.

The National Weather Service predicts mostly fair weather today, with afternoon clouds and showers. An upper-level trough approaching from the northwest will bring an increased chance of rain to Kaua'i later today.

The week starts getting wetter tomorrow, with the possibility of thunderstorms through Thursday, forecasters said.

The weather service also issued a high-surf advisory for the north- and west-facing shores of most islands. O'ahu's North Shore may see waves of 12 to 17 feet this morning; the west side may get 6- to 12-foot surf.