Pump malfunction leads to discharge of 7,600 gallons of wastewater into ocean

Aug. 15, 2013

HILO, Hawaii — The shoreline near the plant was shut down as a precaution.

HILO, Hawaii — A malfunction of a pump at the Papaikou Wastewater Treatment Plant led to 7,600 gallons of wastewater to be discharged into the ocean, according to the Hawaii Tribune-Herald.

Dora Beck, the county’s Wastewater Division chief, said the shoreline area near the plant was closed as a precaution, noted the article.

“Because (the wastewater is) chlorinated and thus disinfected, it doesn’t present any harm to the public,” said Beck.

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