HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-04-05 Dept of Health Gives All-Clear to Water Quality in Hilo Bay -- press release
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.