Hawaii American Water was fined $47,750 and ordered to take corrective action for discharging excessive levels of ammonia nitrogen into the ocean on multiple occasions, the state Department of Health reported on Friday.

What You Need To Know

  • Hawaii American Water is a subsidiary of the New Jersey-based American Water, which identifies itself as the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. It serves about 35,000 people in Hawaii
  • According to a notice of violation and order issued by DOH, Hawaii American Water discharged into the ocean effluent that exceeded National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit limits from its wastewater treatment plant near Sandy Beach 14 times between August 2022 and April 2024
  • The facility also failed to submit required written noncompliance reports on two occasions, DOH reported
  • Last August, Hawaii American Water filed a rate adjustment request with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission for its Hawaii Kai, Mauna Lani and Waimea wastewater service customers

 

Hawaii American Water is a subsidiary of the New Jersey-based American Water, which identifies itself as the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. It serves about 35,000 people in Hawaii.

According to a notice of violation and order issued by DOH, Hawaii American Water discharged into the ocean effluent that exceeded National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit limits from its wastewater treatment plant near Sandy Beach 14 times between August 2022 and April 2024.

The facility also failed to submit required written noncompliance reports on two occasions, DOH reported. 

“Ammonia is derived from the breakdown of proteins and amino acids in wastewater,” said Kathleen Ho, deputy director for the

Environmental Health Administration, in a release issued on Friday. “High concentrations of ammonia can have toxic effects on aquatic organisms and contributes to excess nutrients in the water. As such, the discharge of ammonia above allowable limits into state waters is unacceptable.”

In its release, DOH reminded the public that all persons, including business owners, government agencies and visitors are subject to environmental laws In its release, DOH reminded the public that all persons, including business owners, government agencies and visitors, are subject to environmental laws designed to protect Hawaii. Failure to comply with water pollution laws may subject violators to monetary penalties of up to $60,000 per day, per violation.

Last August, Hawaii American Water filed a rate adjustment request with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission for its Hawaii Kai, Mauna Lani and Waimea wastewater service customers to cover $41 million in local wastewater infrastructure replacement and upgrades in all three districts.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.