2017-07-10 Waianuenue Sewer Spill -- press release

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PRESS RELEASE NOTIFICATION OF TREATMENT PLANT BYPASS Reporting Agency: County of Hawaii Phone No.: 961-8338 Wastewater Division Fax No.: 961-8644 108 Railroad Avenue Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Location of the Discharge: Vicinity of Wailuku River and Kaipalaoa Landing, Hilo, Hawai‘i Date of Discharge: 7/10/2017 Description: Discharge of untreated wastewater at shoreline in the vicinity of Wailuku River and Kaipalaoa Landing in Hilo, Hawai‘i Cause of the Discharge: The cause of the discharge was due to wastewater entering the Storm Drain system from a broken sewer lateral at the corner of Waiānuenue Avenue and Kino‘ole St. Remedial Actions Taken: While the discharge into the Storm Drain system was small and estimated to be in the order of one (1) gallon per hour; the shoreline area in the vicinity of the Storm Drain discharge has been posted with Warning Signs in accordance with State of Hawai‘i, Department of Health requirements and the sign- posted area is closed to recreational activity until further notice. The Wastewater Division is testing shoreline waters in the vicinity of the discharge. Testing will continue until authorization is obtained from the State of Hawai`i, Department of Health to remove Warning Signs posted in the area. The County is currently in the process of coordinating repair of the broken sewer lateral. Contact Person: Lyle Hirota, Wastewater Deputy Division Chief Working hours phone number: 808-961-8333 After hours phone number: 808-936-4498 Above Press Release sent via FAX to the following: Associated Press 531-1213*(for radio dissemination) KITV 536-8993* Hawaii Tribune Herald 961-3680 Department of Health 586-4444* West Hawaii Today 329-4860 Hawaii Island DOH 974-6000 Advertiser 935-7855 KHLO/KKBG 935-0396 Star Bulletin 935-1012 KIPA/KKON 969-7949 KGMB 944-5252* KPUA 935-7761 KHON 593-2418* KLUA 329-7244 * = Oahu Location