A water quality advisory for Puhi Bay lifted
A water quality advisory for Puhi Bay in Hilo has been cancelled.
Hawaii County, in coordination with the state Department of Health, has removed temporary warning signs at the bay following the cancellation of the advisory.
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The signs, which advised the public to stay out of the water, were posted after the discharge of about 71,000 gallons of partially treated, fully disinfected wastewater through the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant’s outfall on Sept. 21.
The discharge resulted from a “process bypass” caused by an electrical failure at the treatment plant. The electrical issue was repaired immediately.
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As a precaution, DOH advised the public to avoid contact with coastal waters near the outfall, located approximately three-quarters of a mile offshore in Puhi Bay, while water-quality testing was conducted.
Samples were collected daily for three days following the discharge. Test results showed bacteria levels to be within the applicable water-quality standards, and DOH has determined that the advisory can be lifted.
