5,200 Gallon Wastewater Overflow Enters Ocean In Kuau

By Wendy Osher

File photo by Wendy Osher.

A mechanical failure caused the overflow of approximately 5,200 gallons of wastewater in Kuau on Friday morning (September 16, 2011).

The incident was reported at 9:40 a.m. on Lae Place near the Kai Place intersection, and was stopped by 10:10 a.m.

The wastewater flowed from a manhole into a nearby storm sewer that drains into the ocean between Holo and Lae Place.

Water samples were taken for analysis and beach closure signs have been posted.

The malfunction at the Kuau #4 Pump Station was corrected and the spill site at Lae Place was cleaned and disinfected.

Officials with the County of Maui’s Department of Environmental Management say beach closure signs will remain in place until water quality testing shows conditions have returned to normal.