High Levels of Bacteria Found in Kailua Wastewater Treatment Plant

Higher than permitted levels of enterococcus were found in a single sample of effluent from the Kailua Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, according to city officials.

The news release, from the Honolulu Department of Environmental Services, states that the sample exceeds the single sample of the daily maximum limitation for enterococcus under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for the plant. Enterococcus bacteria are used as an indicator of fecal material in water and the possible presence of pathogens that can sicken swimmers.

The sample came from the effluent monitoring station at the plant before discharging at the deep ocean outfall, which is located almost a mile from the shoreline at Kailua Bay. The City and County of Honolulu are now collecting additional samples of treated effluent at the Kailua plant.

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