Investigation begins to track suspected pollution from the Lahaina wastewater facility (HI)
(08/01/11) HONOLULU – Federal
and state agencies have begun important research to evaluate the
suspected discharge of pollutants to the coastal waters along the
Kaanapali coast of Maui.
Funded by the U. S. EPA, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, and the Hawaii Department of Health, the
University of Hawaii will measure how long it takes for wastewater
from the Lahaina sewage treatment facility to flow to the
near-shore ocean water. UH scientists will inject a tracer dye into
the facility’s underground injection wells and monitor areas
where fresh water seeps into the ocean for signs of the
dye.
In addition, UH and Hawaii Department
of Health staff will take periodic ocean water samples at
identified ground water discharge points to assess water quality.
Basic water quality will be sampled monthly, while certain toxic
pollutants will be sampled quarterly.
“The tracer study will help us
pinpoint wastewater movement from the Lahaina injection
wells,” said Alexis Strauss, Director of the Water Division
for the EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. “The goal is to
evaluate the potential impact of the facility’s discharge on
the coastal waters.”
Reports on the results of the tracer
dye test and water quality monitoring studies will be made
available to the public later this year.
For additional information, please
contact David Albright with EPA’s Ground Water Office at
415-972-3971, or Joanna L. Seto, P.E., Chief, DOH Safe Drinking
Water Branch at 808-586-4258.
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