2017-06-28 Environmental Management Commission Minutes

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o There's more bacteria in the sand than there is in the surface water. Study has found that bacteria in sand will persist for 24 days. The bacteria level is lower in the water above the sand because sunlight kills bacteria. The sunlight penetrating the sea water drops the numbers in hours. DOH testing happens in knee deep water, and a sterile vial is used to collect a water sample at the surface of the water where sunlight is most active. The sample should actually be taken closer to the sand. The time of day in which the sample is taken is also important. You'll get a lower bacteria count if you sample during the hottest period (9:OOam — 2:OOpm) of the day. Kids playing in the sand are probably more prone to bacteria than the surfers. Staphylococcus Aureus (sometimes called staph) is the most common infection people get. Hawaii leads the nation in staph infections. People have speculated because we spend a lot of time in the ocean. Staph has a very low correlation with enterococci. Some staph washes off people at the beach, the rest washes off in the shower which goes into the sewer treatment plant which then gets discharged. o We need to take universal precautions. Since we don't know what's going on in our recreational waters, we need to assume its contaminated at all times. Avoid storm water runoff and floating scum. Don't go in the water if you have a cut. If you get a cut in the ocean, be sure to tend to it very well. Make sure to rinse off very well after going in the water. o Using next generation molecular technology which is commercially available we can determine the microbe source. You can determine with great precision whether or not a body of water is contaminated with human microbes, and sort out the confusion once and for all. One application is called PhyloChip. Dr. Anderson and his team is currently doing research sponsored by the EPA on the island of Kauai. If can raise enough money will bring them here. Action agenda in Kona is to fund a research project with them to see if microbiomes along the Kona Coast as far south at Miloli`i so we can say conclusively that the microbes are from humans and not the environment. Need to close cesspools at recreational sites so don't leak into the ocean. 6. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE: a. Director's Report (attached to original minutes): o The Ali`i Drive sewer leak was detected and fixed within two days, with beaches closed for three days. The sewer main had at least two different breaks in it. The minor earthquake we had prior to the spill may or may not have had anything to do with the break. The 8" force main is cast iron and 55 years old. The pipe rusted from the inside. Those sections have been cut out and replaced. The Wastewater Division has since taken a look at all the piping systems on the island. Will be making a presentation to the Mayor on the cost to repair all cast iron pipes that are 55 years and older. The Mayor has indicated he has concerns of the condition of our system and considers the fix a priority. The new pipe will not be cast iron as cast iron is not resistant to corrosion. Dr. Bennett asked what the pressure is on the force main and if it's a constant pressure. Director Kucharski responded stating he's not sure what the pressure is, doesn't believe it's that high, and believes the pressure is constant because the flow needs to keep moving. He will double check and get back to the Commission. Mr. Fear asked what's flowing in the pipes. Director Kucharski responded stating it's sewage from hotels, businesses and residences in the area, which flows to Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant. Mr. Fear also asked what is notated on the signs put up when there is a sewage spill. Director Kucharski was not sure on the exact working but believes it does stated the water is contaminated. 4