Water is safe to drink. The public was never in any danger.

HONOLULU – The Board of Water Supply has detected E. coli bacteria in BWS Kalauao Wells pump 5.

What should I do

There is nothing you need to do. Your water continues to be safe to drink. This notice is a public announcement required under Federal and State drinking water regulations.

What Happened?

The Board of Water Supply (BWS) is notifying the public that a raw water sample prior to treatment from BWS Kalauao Wells pump 5 has tested positive for the presence of E. coli bacteria. As a result, BWS is providing public notice of the finding, as required under the federal Ground Water Rule. The tap water remains safe to drink because the raw water from this source is disinfected with chlorine before it goes to any customers. For this reason, no further action is required by customers. Water from Kalauao Wells pump 5 serves the area from ‘Aiea to Kahala.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Ground Water Rule is a regulatory process aimed at reducing the potential risk of illness caused by microbial contamination in ground water. Under this Rule, utilities must test the ground water sources when coliform is detected in any sample collected from the water system. If E. coli is then detected in a ground water source, the Rule requires the public to be notified. While an E. coli detection is not a rule violation, the Rule still requires that the public be notified of the positive E. coli finding.

On December 04, 2024, BWS detected coliform bacteria in a water sample collected on December 03, 2024, from a routine sampling site on Ala Mahamoe Street. On December 05, 2024, in accordance with the Ground Water Rule, BWS staff collected a repeat sample from the original sampling site on Ala Mahamoe Street and from all sources and all pumps at all stations that were serving Ala Mahamoe Street. Kalauao Wells and Punanani Wells are the sources that serve Ala Mahamoe Street. Of all the samples collected, only Kalauao Wells pump 5 was found E. coli positive the following day, December 06, 2024. The repeat sample from Ala Mahamoe Street and all samples collected from all other pumps at all other sources were all found E. coli negative the following day, December 06, 2024.

On December 06, 2024, in response to the E. coli positive from Kalauao Wells pump 5, BWS immediately collected five (5) additional samples from Kalauao Wells pump 5 as required by the Ground Water Rule. After the samples were collected, the pump was then shut down. E. coli testing requires at least 18 hours to complete.

E. coli bacteria can exist in tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate soil and may persist in the soil for many years. E. coli is a fecal indicator and a microbe whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause short- term health effects, such as diarrhea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.

The BWS immediately notified the State Department of Health (DOH) of the positive E. coli finding and is informing the public as required by Federal and State drinking water regulations.

During the time Kalauao Wells Pump #5 was operating, chlorine was being added to the water before it reaches customers. Other water samples collected from Ala Mahamoe Street on December 03 and 05, 2024 had chlorine present and all tested negative for E. coli. Other samples taken in the area served by Kalauao Wells and Punanani Wells were collected on December 03, 2024, from Kalihi Kai Fire Station, Soto Mission, and Central Fire Station, and were also collected on December 05 from Pizza Hut on N. Kuakini Street, Kalihi Kai Fire Station, Honolulu Bus Maintenance Facility, Lagoon Chinese Restaurant, Central Pacific Bank Mapunapuna, Moanalua Golf Course, Salt Lake Elementary School, O’ahu Veterans Center, Extra Space Storage on Lawehana St, and Kilauea District Park, all also had chlorine present and all tested negative for E. coli. For this reason, the public was not at risk of E. coli exposure.

What is being done?

The BWS, in consultation with DOH, is investigating to determine the reason for the E. coli presence. Kalauao Wells pump 5 will remain shut down until the BWS concludes its investigation, completes any necessary corrective measures, and receives DOH approval to resume Kalauao Wells pump 5 operation.

The BWS will issue a second notification on December 07, 2024, to report results of the additional five (5) samples from Kalauao Wells pump 5.

For more information, please contact the BWS Water Quality Division at (808)748-5080 or (808) 748-5855 or the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1(800) 426-4791.