2017-04-05 Dept of Health Gives All-Clear to Water Quality in Hilo Bay -- press release

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Wil Okabe Managing Director Harry Kim Mayor Barbara J. Kossow Deputy Managing Director County of Hawai‘i Office of the Mayor 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720  (808) 961-8211  Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg. C  Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 (808) 323-4444  Fax (808) 323-4440 April 5, 2017 NEWS RELEASE Department of Health Gives the All-Clear on Water Quality in Hilo Bay The State Department of Health has announced that samples of Hilo Bay water taken Wednesday have come up clear throughout the Hilo Bay area that had been impacted by a sewage spill early this week. Meanwhile, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM), which has been managing mitigation efforts following the spill, worked to remove all remaining warning signs that had barred the public from water activities. The area receiving warning signs immediately following the spill spanned from the mouth of the Wailuku River to as far east as Reed’s Bay. “The Department of Health has cleared all of Hilo Bay; the water testing data shows a return to normal,” said DEM Director Bill Kucharski. “It’s all clear.” The incident began when a blocked sewer line sent an estimated 41,000 gallons of raw sewage into the Wailuku River and Hilo Bay on Monday morning, and the public was asked to follow posted signs and stay out of the water. DEM took water samples in the Wailuku River and as far east as Reed’s Bay following the spill. For further information, please contact Bill Kucharski of the Department of Environmental Management at (808) 217-2750. County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.