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EPA Issues Order Against Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant

Release Date: 10/2/2002
Contact Information: Mike Ardito

     The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency yesterday ordered the city and county of Honolulu to stop effluent discharge violations at the Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant.
   
     The EPA's review of discharge monitoring reports received for 2002 indicate effluent discharge violations of chlordane and dieldrin chemical concentrations for each month.  The EPA's review of the August 2000 discharge monitoring report indicate the new discharge limit for enterococcus effective July 21, is being violated.  The enterococcus bacteria discharge limit will probably be violated continuously until the new disinfection facility is brought on line.  Permit levels are set to protect public health.

     "The city and county of Honolulu are behind in meeting permit obligations for the Sand Island facility," said Wayne Nastri, the EPA's regional administrator for the Pacific Southwest.  "It is critical that Honolulu take accelerated steps to move into compliance."

     The EPA order requires the city and county of Honolulu to submit a plan and compliance schedule by Dec. 1 that details actions that will bring the facility into continuous compliance with its EPA permit.  Failure to comply with the EPA order could subject the city and county of Honolulu to civil action, including judicial penalties of up to $27,500 per day.

     The EPA previously issued a finding of violation and order for compliance in October 1999 that required corrective measures and continuous compliance with the permit issued in September 1998 by the EPA and the Hawai'i Department of Health.  The permit which became effective in November 1998 incorporates a variance from secondary treatment requirements granted by the EPA under the Clean Water Act.