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EPA orders Kahuku Shrimp Farm Co. to fix wastewater problems

Release Date: 4/12/2004
Contact Information: Dean Higuchi, (808) 541-2711

HONOLULU -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently ordered Kahuku Shrimp Farm Company to correct wastewater discharge violations at its facility on Oahu.

An EPA review of Kahuku's discharge monitoring reports from February 2002 to January 2004 found that the company had violated its permit conditions by discharging wastewater with higher than allowed levels of nitrates, nitrate nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen.

"All permitted facilities need to take the necessary steps to comply with required permit conditions to protect our ocean water quality," said Alexis Strauss, water division director for the EPA's Pacific Southwest Region. "The EPA will ensure all needed corrections are made, and additional monitoring conducted, to comply with Clean Water Act requirements and to protect Hawai'i's ocean water quality."

By the end of April the company will need to submit a plan to the EPA detailing the steps to bring the facility into compliance that include:

-conducting additional monitoring to ensure compliance with the permit;
-making changes to operation and maintenance procedures;
-repairing or replacing treatment system equipment;
-expansion of the treatment system including the construction of new treatment units;
- implementing additional controls and pollution prevention measures including changes to production
-processes, raw materials, and water conservation or water reuse.

The company is required to submit progress reports to the EPA and will need to complete all work to comply with its permit by the end of July.

The EPA requires all water discharges to the ocean to be permitted and monitored to ensure the wastewater meets the EPA and Hawai'i's water quality standards to protect human health and the environment.
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