23 June 2024
An estimated 607,000 gallons of non-chlorinated secondary treated effluent wastewater was discharged from the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant between about 8:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. June 21.
The discharge triggered a water quality advisory for a portion of Hilo Bay.
The discharge was caused by the failure of a chlorination system. Hawai‘i County Department of Environmental Management says the failure happened when the chlorine was being replenished.
Restoration of the system was completed at about 12:30 p.m. the same day.
The Hawai‘i Department of Health was notified and issued a water quality advisory for Hilo Bay, outside of the Hilo breakwater.