SurfRider Foundation Kaua‘i releases monthly water quality tests for beaches, streams

Water quality in several Kaua‘i streams had overwhelming levels of bacteria recorded during the SurfRider Foundation’s monthly testing in May.

SurfRider Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the ocean and coastlines, has chapters throughout the United States, including on Kaua‘i.

The foundation operates the Blue Water Task Force, made up of volunteers, with the goal of monitoring water quality at beaches and waterways. On May 10, volunteers tested sites around the Garden Isle and found nearly all the streams and some beaches had unsafe levels of bacteria in the waters.

Some of these areas include Wainiha Stream, Kōloa Landing, Nawiliwili Stream and several others.

The Blue Water Task Force labs measure fecal indicator bacteria levels in recreational waters and compare them to water quality standards set to protect public health. According to the nonprofit, a recent study into the bacteria found in Kaua‘i waters revealed that streams are polluted with human waste from cesspools.

See the full list of monthly water quality tests below.