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For Immediate Release
December 8, 2021

Board of Water Supply Shuts Down Aiea Well, Halawa Well

BWS Notified Late Wednesday of Confirmed Contamination at Navy’s Aiea-Halawa Shaft


HONOLULU – The Board of Water Supply (BWS) was informed late this afternoon about contamination at the Navyʻs Aiea-Halawa Shaft. Immediately after being alerted, the BWS took precautionary measures and shut down their Aiea Well and Halawa Well. On Thursday, December 2, 2021, the BWS shut down one of their primary sources, Halawa Shaft after being informed of contamination at the Navyʻs Red Hill Shaft.

“This situation is not acceptable and our system to our residents is now being put under more stress.” stated Manager and Chief Engineer Ernest Lau. “I am deeply troubled and we have requested all pumpage and test data from the Dept of Health on the Red Hill Shaft and the Aiea-Halawa Shaft. We need to have this data in order to make solid and informed decisions regarding our system so we can continue to service our customers.”

BWS had just taken samples earlier this week from the Aiea Well and Halawa Well and sent them to a mainland test lab. Results are expected late next week.

Test results for the Halawa Shaft are still on track to be available to the public end of this week. The BWS will post more information shortly. For more information, please call (808) 748-5041 or send an email to contactus@hbws.org.

About the Board of Water Supply

The Board of Water Supply (BWS), a semi-autonomous agency of the City and County of Honolulu, manages Oahu’s municipal water resources and distribution system.  As the largest water utility in the State, the BWS serves approximately one million customers on Oahu.  The BWS embraces its mission of “Water for Life – Ka Wai Ola” – to provide a safe, dependable, and affordable water supply, now and into the future.  Uwē  ka lani, ola ka honua – “When the heavens weep, the earth lives.”  For more information, visit www.boardofwatersupply.com, follow @BWSHonolulu or like the BWS’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/BWSHonolulu.

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Contact:

Kathleen Elliott-Pahinui
Information Officer
Honolulu Board of Water Supply
Phone: (808) 748-5319