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For Immediate Release
October 27, 2017

E. Coli Bacteria Found in Board of Water Supply (BWS) Kamaile Well Pump #2

Water is safe to drink; it is disinfected before entering drinking water system
 

HONOLULU – The Board of Water Supply (BWS) is notifying the public that a water sample from BWS Kamaile Well Pump #2 has tested positive for the presence of E. coli bacteria. As a result, BWS is providing public notice of the finding as required under the federal Ground Water Rule. The water from this source is safe to drink because it is continuously disinfected before it reaches customers. For this reason, no further action is required by customers. Kamaile Well Pump #2 serves the area from Ala Hema Street up to Keeau Beach Park and has been shut down out of an abundance of caution.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Ground Water Rule is a regulatory process aimed to reduce the potential risk of illness caused by microbial contamination in ground water. Under the Rule, utilities must test their ground water when coliform is detected in any sample collected from the water system. If E. coli is found in the ground water source, the rule requires the public to be notified. E. coli detection is not a rule violation, but the rule requires that the public be notified of the finding and that the BWS take corrective actions approved by the State Department of Health (DOH).

What should I do?

There is nothing you need to do. This notice is a public announcement required under the drinking water regulations.

What Happened?

On October 24, 2017, BWS detected coliform bacteria in a routine water sample from Keaau Beach Park that was collected on October 23, 2017. In accordance with the Ground Water Rule, BWS staff collected a sample from Kamaile Well Pump #2 on October 24, 2017 which tested E. coli positive the following day, October 25, 2017.

The BWS immediately collected five (5) additional samples from Kamaile Well, Pump #2 on October 25, 2017 as required by Rule. After the samples were collected the well was then shut down.  Two out of the five samples were found to be E. coli positive the following day, October 26, 2017.  E. coli testing requires 24 hours to complete.

The BWS immediately notified the DOH of the finding and is informing the public as required by federal drinking water regulations.

The water from Kamaile Well Pump #2 is chlorinated before it reaches customers.  Samples collected from Keaau Beach Park on October 23 and October 24, 2017 tested positive for chlorine and negative for E. coli.  For this reason, the public was not at risk of E. coli exposure.

What is E. coli?

E. coli bacteria can exist in tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate soil and may persist in soil for a number of years. E. coli is a fecal indicator and microbe whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term health effects, such as diarrhea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.

What is being done?

The BWS, in consultation with DOH, is conducting an investigation to determine the reason for the E. coli presence. Kamaile Well Pump #2 will remain shut down until the BWS concludes its investigation, completes the necessary corrective measures and receives DOH approval to resume well operations.

For more information, please contact the BWS Water Quality Division at 748-5080 or the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1(800) 426-4791.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly, for example people in apartments, nursing homes, schools and businesses. You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

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.

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Contact:

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