Yesterday afternoon, the Department of Environmental Management responded to a discharge of approximately 6,300 gallons of sewage from a manhole on Waiānuenue Avenue in Hilo. The wastewater traveled down the north side curb and into a storm drain near Laimana Street.

Hawai’i County Wastewater Division personnel arrived on the scene and removed debris from the line which restored normal flow.  The cause of the incident was traced to the collapse of a section of the sewer main which caused a partial blockage of the flow.  Beginning this morning, a contractor will excavate around the failed line and replace the section.

The affected portion of Waiānuenue Avenue was disinfected with a water and chlorine solution.  Warning signs were posted along the Hilo Bayfront.  Wastewater Division personnel will run bacteriological analyses samples at locations along Bayfront.