KAILUA, Hawaii — Effluent enterococcus levels at the Kailua Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant have remained well within permit levels for nearly two weeks, according to the Honolulu Department of Environmental Services.

What You Need To Know

  • Laboratory tests of daily effluent samples have shown that levels of the potentially harmful bacteria have not exceeded allowable limits since May 5

  • Daily enterococcus levels previously exceeded the limit several times in April and early May

  • Representatives of the Honolulu Department of Environmental Services and the state Department of Health assured the public that they have remained in daily contact and were working closely to keep the public advised whenever limits were exceeded

  • ENV has started the design phase for an ultra-violet disinfection facility, which will be incorporated into the treatment process at Kailua Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant

The update was provided at a news briefing Thursday afternoon.

According to the department, laboratory tests of daily effluent samples have shown that levels of the potentially harmful bacteria have not exceeded allowable limits since May 5. Daily enterococcus levels previously exceeded the limit several times in April and early May.

At Thursday’s news conference, representatives of ENV and the state Department of Health assured the public that they have remained in daily contact and were working closely to keep the public advised whenever limits were exceeded.

ENV has also stayed in contact with the Kailua Neighborhood Board and has sent representatives to the board’s Pollution of Kailua Waterways and Beaches Public Safety, Public Health and Civil Defense Subcommittee meeting last week.

When directed by DOH, ENV also posted additional signs informing the public to stay out of waters around the outfall at locations approved by DOH. 

“The city fully complied with notification requirements during the exceedance period, including timely notifications to the DOH regarding ‘exceedances’ with lab results and the posting of signs,” said state health director Dr. Kenneth Fink.

ENV has started the design phase for an ultra-violet disinfection facility, which will be incorporated into the treatment process at KRWWTP. The new facility will specifically target enterococcus within effluent prior to discharging from the deep ocean outfall, which will provide the level of treatment necessary for the plant to meet permit levels, the department reported.

Honolulu City Council vice chair Esther Kiaaina said she would support appropriations in the current budget bills to ensure that the city remains on track to complete the ultra-violet disinfection facility.

The facility is scheduled for completion in December 2025.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii.