Updated at 4:49 p.m., Thursday, February 8, 2007
Maui County cited for wastewater spill
Advertiser Staff
WAILUKU, Maui — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state Department of Health are seeking $4,000 in penalties from Maui County for a spill of 1.4 million gallons of treated wastewater from the Kahului Wastewater Plant in late December.The spill was caused by a break in the berm surrounding the wastewater storage pond. The spill washed away sand at the site, damaging the storage pond structure, plant access road, and perimeter fencing at the facility.
The wastewater flowed directly to the ocean and surrounding areas, and the Health Department posted warning signs. Michael Miyamoto, deputy director of the county Department of Public Works and Environment Management, said $4,000 is a "fair" fine for the event.
Although the spill was large, it involved treated wastewater, not raw sewage, he said.
