Environment & Climate
Navy receives conditional approval to reopen Hawaii drinking water well near Red Hill
Associated Press reports that Hawaii health officials granted conditional approval to restart the ʻAiea-Hālawa Shaft.
The short version
- Hawaii's Department of Health conditionally approved the U.S. Navy's plan to reopen the ʻAiea-Hālawa Shaft.[Associated Press]
- The drinking water well supplies between 2% and 5% of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam's capacity.[Associated Press]
- Testing detected PFAS levels in the well that exceed EPA standards, while historical Red Hill fuel spill totals remain disputed.[Associated Press]
Key facts
- The Hawaii Department of Health issued conditional approval to the U.S. Navy to reopen the ʻAiea-Hālawa Shaft.[Associated Press]
- The ʻAiea-Hālawa well averages 0.697 million gallons in daily withdrawals, representing 2% to 5% of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam's water system capacity.[Associated Press]
- PFAS detected in the ʻAiea-Hālawa well exceeded the EPA maximum contaminant level of 4.0 parts per trillion.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- A 2020 Honolulu Board of Water Supply assessment found at least 73 fuel leaks totaling 178,000 gallons at Red Hill since 1943, but the Navy disputes that assessment.[Associated Press]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- Well Reopening Near Red Hill Stirs Up Lingering Concerns In Hawaii Over Poisoned PlumeAssociated Press · Wire: associated-press