Wastewater spill contained onsite at Poʻipū water reclamation plant

A wastewater spill at a Kōloa water plant on Kauaʻi was contained onsite and had no impact to the public.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health reports that 100,000 gallons of wastewater were discharged between 5 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. from Feb. 20 to 21 at the Poʻipū water reclamation plant at 2520 Poʻipū Road. The plant is operated by Makai Water Services.

Plant flows doubled from the normal 400,000 gallons per day to 835,000 gallons a day because of heavy rains in the area. More than 2 inches of rain fell during the eight and a half hours of the discharge event. Most of the of the flow was R-1 effluent, or highest quality, and went to normal destinations: 336,000 gallons went to the Kiahuna Golf Club and 398,000 gallons went to the underground injection well.

However, about 100,000 gallons that was spilled onsite. This discharged water was treated to secondary water quality, but bypassed final filtration and ultraviolet treatment as a result of the abnormal inrush of rainwater. Fortunately, there are earthen berms around the facility to prevent the water from exiting onto public areas. Staff monitored the water and observed that it did not leave the facility.

There is no danger to the public as the spill was contained within the facility, which has no public access.

Although the spill is primarily attributed to the consistent and heavy rain on Feb. 20, the Health Department is investigating other possible causes for the event.