Untreated wastewater was discharged at a shoreline near Wailuku River and and Kaipalaoa Landing in Hilo, Hawaii County said in a press release Monday.
The cause of the discharge was due to wastewater entering the storm drain system from a broken sewer lateral at the corner of Waianuenue Avenue and Kinoole Street.
The discharge into the system was considered small and estimated to be in the order of one gallon per hour; the shoreline area in the vicinity of the storm drain discharge has been posted with warning signs in accordance with State of Hawaii, Department of Health requirements and the sign-posted area is closed to recreational activity until further notice.
The Wastewater Division is testing shoreline waters in the vicinity of the discharge. Testing will continue until authorization is obtained from the State of Hawaii, Department of Health to remove warning signs posted in the area. The county is currently in the process of coordinating repair of the broken sewer lateral.