An ongoing wastewater spill at the Līhuʻe Wastewater Treatment Plant is being contained on-site and does not pose a threat to pubic health, Kauaʻi County officials announced in a press release.
The Wastewater Management Division reported that approximately 70,000 gallons per day have been intermittently discharged within the facility since about 10 a.m. on March 17.
The issue has been attributed to reduced capacity in the plant’s underground injection control wells. Officials said the discharge remains confined to the treatment plant grounds and has not reached public areas or state waters.
The intermittent spills are occurring during peak flow periods, including early morning, late morning, and evening hours. Additional discharges could continue, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
As a precaution, crews are applying additional disinfection measures within affected areas of the facility while closely monitoring and managing wastewater flows to prevent any off-site impact.
The division is working with the Hawaiʻi Department of Health’s Clean Water Branch on both immediate and long-term solutions.
Efforts include evaluating ways to expand injection well capacity and increase the distribution of R-1 recycled water to better manage higher volumes.
