Dole is diverting about 1.3 million gallons a day of treated wastewater into Kaukonahua Stream and Kaiaka Bay as the company clears debris from an irrigation ditch.

The ditch became clogged from a fallen tree, and the diversion was necessary to clean the ditch and make repairs, said Alec Wong, of the state Clean Water Branch.

Warning signs were posted to advise people to stay out of the water.

The state issued a warning Monday saying that the diversion was to begin at 3:30 p.m. that day, and Wong said the clean-up and repair is expected to end today or tomorrow.

The treated wastewater is from the Schofield wastewater treatment plant and is mixed with water from the Wahiawa Reservoir to irrigate crops, Wong said.

Water samples were taken for testing, and results should be available tomorrow, he said.

Under a permit, Dole is allowed up to 30 days of discharge into Kaukonahua Stream for ditch maintenance, Wong said.