E. Coli Bacteria Found in Board OfWater Supply (BWS) KuniaWells III, Pump #1
Water is safe to drink.The public was never in any danger.
The Board ofWater Supply has detected E. coli bacteria in BWS KuniaWells III, pump #1.
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 ofWater Supply (BWS) is notifying the public that a raw water sample prior
to treatment from BWS KuniaWells III, pump #1 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 GroundWater 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
KuniaWells III, pump #1 serves the area fromWaipahu to M-akaha.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the GroundWater 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 January 23, 2025, BWS detected coliform bacteria in a water sample collected
on January 22, 2025, from a routine sampling site at East Kapolei Fire Station. On
January 23, 2025, in accordance with the GroundWater Rule, BWS staff collected a
repeat sample from the original sampling site at East Kapolei Fire Station and from
all sources and all pumps at all stations that were serving East Kapolei Fire Station.
H-o’ae’aeWells, KuniaWells I, HonouliuliWells II, KuniaWells III, andWaipahuWells
IV are the sources that serve East Kapolei Fire Station. Of all the samples collected,
only KuniaWells III, pump #1 was found E. coli positive the following day, January
24, 2025. The repeat sample from East Kapolei Fire Station and all samples
collected from all other sources were all found to be E.coli negative the following
day, January 24, 2025.
On January 25, 2025, in response to the E. coli positive from KuniaWells III, pump #1,
BWS collected five (5) additional samples from KuniaWells III, pump #1 as required
by the GroundWater Rule. After the samples were collected, the pump was then shut
down. E. coli testing requires at least 25 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 KuniaWells III, pump #1 was operating, chlorine was being added
to the water before it reaches customers. Water samples collected from East
Kapolei Fire Station on January 22, and 23, 2025 had chlorine present and both
tested negative for E. coli. Other samples taken in the area served by KuniaWells
III, pump #1 were collected on January 22, 2025 from August Ahrens Elementary
School,Waipahu Elementary School,Waipahu Intermediate School, The Filipino
Community Center,Waipahu Fire Station, Honowai Neighborhood Park,’Ewa Town
Center,’Ewa Beach Fire Station, Kapolei Elementary School,The Villas at A’eloa,
Zippy’s Kapolei, PPG Paints Kapolei, Makakilo Booster #2, Panana St., Makakilo
Booster #4 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. KuniaWells III, pump #1 will remain shut down until the BWS
concludes its investigation, completes any necessary corrective measures, and
receives DOH approval to resume KuniaWells III, pump #1 operation.
The BWS will issue a second notification on January 26, 2025,to report results of the
additional five (5) samples from KuniaWells III, pump #1.
For more information, please contact the BWSWater Quality Division at
(808) 722-6494 or (808) 343-0226 or the EPA Safe DrinkingWater Hotline at
1(800) 426-4791.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water,
especially those who may not have received this notice directly, for example people in
apartments, nursing homes, schools and businesses. You can do this by posting this
notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail
(SA1482591 2/03/25)