2 weeks Ago By Mateo Castillo
Residents in the Aiea to Kahala area received positive news after recent water tests showed no presence of E. coli bacteria. The Board of Water Supply conducted follow-up testing at one of its pumps, confirming that the initial sample, which tested positive for E.
coli, was an isolated case. The issue was first reported last Saturday at the Kalauao Wells pump 5, where raw, untreated water had tested positive for the bacteria, according to KHON2 . After the initial positive E.
coli test, the Board of Water Supply tested the water again with five more samples, all of which came back negative. Board of Water Supply has reassured the public that the tap water is safe to drink. "The public was not at risk of E.
coli exposure," they said. The E. coli detection was part of routine testing.
After the result last Friday, BWS worked with the state Department of Health to shut down the pump and investigate the source of the contamination. The Kalauao Wells pump 5 will remain off until the investigation is finished and Department of Health gives approval to restart it, as stated in a KHON2 and Hawaii News Now . E.
coli in water can indicate possible contamination. When it’s found, the Environmental Protection Agency requires testing and public notification. Although E.
coli was detected in the water, it wasn’t a violation, and the issue has been addressed. For more information, contact the Board of Water Supply Water Quality Division at (808) 202-4281 or (808) 343-0226, or call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 (800) 426-4791, as reported by Hawaii News Now ..
