The Department of Health issued an advisory Tuesday to stay out of the water near the Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam wastewater treatment plant outfall after the Navy discharged 1.89 million gallons of partially treated wastewater.
The outfall is about 1.5 miles offshore, near the entrance channel to Pearl Harbor, off the Ewa end of the Reef Runway.
The wastewater skipped the fourth and final step in the treatment process, which is an ultraviolet disinfection.
According to a release from the Navy, the discharge occurred around 3 p.m. after heavy rain caused a power disruption to the UV disinfection system. Power was restored after about 5 hours.
DOH asked the Navy to post signs along the shore.
Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with information from the Navy. (Jan. 10, 2024)