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For Immediate Release
November 21, 2023

BWS Files a Claim with the Navy to Recover Costs Associated with Responding to Red Hill Releases of Fuel


Honolulu, Hawai‘i —With the two year anniversary of the environmental disaster caused by fuel releases from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility approaching the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) has filed a $1.2 billion claim with the U.S. Navy under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) to recover  costs associated with responding to the Red Hill drinking water contamination crisis.  The filing under the FTCA is the first step in the cost recovery process and essential to preserving the BWS’ legal rights.  The Navy is responsible for the massive environmental and human health crisis caused by releases of petroleum and other hazardous substances that occurred at the Red Hill facility.  This emergency is ongoing and unresolved.  The Navy’s failure to prevent or timely and appropriately respond to these releases at Red Hill has inflicted devastating injuries upon the people of Hawaii, including the BWS, which are compensable under the FTCA.

As a result of the Navy’s November 2021 fuel release at Red Hill and the ensuing drinking water contamination crisis, the BWS had no choice but to shut down its Halawa Shaft as well as certain Aiea and Halawa drinking water wells to prevent fuel contamination from entering the BWS’ own water distribution system.  In addition to shutting down these drinking water sources, the BWS has been forced to implement enhanced water quality testing and protocols, install additional groundwater monitoring wells, temporarily increase its reliance upon other water sources to replace the lost water production, develop alternate water supply wells to make up for the lost water production, and evaluate drinking water treatment technology.  The $1.2 billion claim is to recover the costs for these response actions.  The Navy has publicly stated that it is taking accountability for its leadership failings at Red Hill, and we expect the Navy to reimburse the BWS for these damages.

For copy of the filing, please go to: Protect Oahu Water - Board of Water Supply

For the latest updates from the BWS regarding the ongoing situation at Red Hill and its impact on O‘ahu's precious water resources, go to https://www.boardofwatersupply.com/protectoahuwater/news

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Contact:

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