HONOLULU — The Department of Health said Monday that it received 50 complaints about tap water and air quality from Navy water system users via a Red Hill Community Representation Initiative member. 

What You Need To Know

  • DOH said it is taking complaints about the Navy's water "seriously" 

  • The state agency directed the U.S. Navy to test its Waiawa Shaft, which is the source for the Navy's water system

  • Petroleum was not detected in the water samples that were taken from the Waiawa Shaft when it was tested in Oct. 2023 

“DOH is taking these reports seriously,” a DOH news release said. 

After receiving the complaints, DOH directed the U.S. Navy to test its Waiawa Shaft, which became the primary source for the Navy’s water system after the closure of the Red Hill Shaft and Aiea-Halawa Shaft following the Red Hill fuel leaks in 2021. In Oct. 2023, the Navy collected samples from the Waiawa Shaft, which did not detect petroleum. 

The Navy regularly tests the Waiawa Shaft under the Drinking Water Long-Term Monitoring Plan, according to a Navy news release. The Navy is developing, with regulatory agencies, an extension to the Drinking Water LTM Plan as the program ends in March 2024. 

DOH said it has requested contact information for each of the complaints, so that they can follow-up directly with on-site inspections and taking water samples for testing. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established the Red Hill CRI in response to public comments made on the 2023 Administrative Consent Order, which asked for community representation. The CRI is a 10-member group selected in Sept. 2023 who works with the Navy, Defense Logistics Agency and EPA on closing the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. 

However, Marti Townsend, a member of the CRI, rebuked the Navy in a news release sent earlier this month for canceling its Jan. 18 meeting. “The CRI is not under the Navy’s control. We are a self-governing body established by EPA and designed to ensure accountability and transparency in the Navy’s actions on Red Hill going forward.” 

Navy spokesperson Joe Keiley told Spectrum News Hawaii that “unfortunately, recent CRI actions have taken this initiative off course and driven the need for a reset in January.” He said the Navy is working to schedule February and March meetings with the CRI. The ACO requires the Navy and Defense Logistics Agency to meet with the CRI twice per quarter. 

DOH said Navy water users may report quality concerns to its Safe Water Drinking Branch. Also, users may file reports with the Navy Rapid Response Team at 808-449-1979 or the EPA Desk Line at 808-947-4406.

The Navy said in a press release that “water concerns can be reported, and in-home testing can be requested, without fear of reprisal.” The Navy said it would provide bottled water until EPA-certified labs verify test results meet safe drinking water standards.

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.

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