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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 2:57 p.m., Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Honolulu sewage spills down for third straight quarter

Advertiser Staff

Sewage spills in Honolulu are down for the third-straight quarter this year, according to the city's Department of Environmental Services

"Repairing our collection system infrastructure has been a top priority of my administration for the past four years," said Mayor Mufi Hannemann, in a statement. "There's no doubt our city's sewer system is in better shape today than it was three and a half years ago, and we'll continue to do the work necessary to make more improvements to ensure we leave this place better than we found it."

From July 1 through Sept. 30, the city recorded 23 spills from gravity mains, lower laterals, pump stations and force mains. Spills are down 36.12 percent compared to 36 spills recorded during the third quarter of 2007, according to the city.

"We are currently working on 52 projects related to our wastewater system," said Eric S. Takamura, director of ENV, in a statement. "It is a long, time-consuming process, but a vital component to preserving the environment and safeguarding the health and welfare of our residents."

In addition to the third quarter decline, ENV data reflects a 37.39 percent drop (107 to 67) in sewage spills during the first nine months of 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007, according to the city.