High Bacteria Count Advisory at “Teen Challenge” Olowalu, Maui

Maui Now graphic.

The public is advised of a water quality exceedance of enterococci at “Teen Challenge” located near Mile 14 of the Honoapiʻilani Highway in Olowalu, Maui.

Levels of 306 per 100 mL have been detected during routine beach monitoring, exceeding threshold levels of 130 enterococci per 100 mL.

The Department of Health Clean Water Branch issued the advisory saying tests indicate that “potentially harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, or parasites may be present in the water.”

Swimming at beaches with pollution in the water may make you ill.

Children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are the most likely populations to develop illnesses or infections after coming into contact with polluted water, usually while swimming.

The most common illness associated with swimming in water polluted by fecal pathogens is gastroenteritis. It occurs in a variety of forms that can have one or more of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, stomachache, diarrhea, headache or fever. Other minor illnesses associated with swimming include ear, eye, nose and throat infections. In highly polluted water, swimmers may occasionally be exposed to more serious diseases.

Not all illnesses from a day at the beach are from swimming. Food poisoning from improperly refrigerated picnic lunches may also have some of the same symptoms as swimming-related illnesses, including stomachache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Signs have been posted at the beach and the advisory will remain in effect until water sample results no longer exceed the threshold level.