The Navy and Hawaii Department of Health are doing additional water sampling after a sample taken Dec. 5 from an off-service section of the Navy’s water distribution near Navy’s Aiea Halawa Well showed elevated results for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH). This sample did not come directly from the Navy’s Aiea-Halawa Well and the Navy does not believe it indicates contamination of the Navy’s Aiea-Halawa Well. The Halawa well has not been used since Dec. 3, and a sample from that day, before the well was off service, indicated that the water was safe.
The Navy received preliminary verbal results of an elevated sample on the Halawa portion of the distribution system on Wednesday, Dec. 8, and immediately notified the Hawaii Department of Health, with follow-on discussions with several stakeholders, including Department of Land and Natural Resources, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Board of Water Supply. After reviewing the detailed results from the independent laboratory conducting the testing, the Navy determined that the sample was not from the Halawa well but from an off-service section of the water distribution system. This was subsequently reported to the Department of Health.
The Navy continues a rigorous sampling program of the drinking water distribution system. To date, the Navy has collected over 100 samples throughout the distribution system. Samples continue to be shipped off-island to certified laboratories for analysis. To date, the Navy has received results from 84 samples, and none of the results from the on-service water distribution system have indicated the presence of petroleum products at or near EPA or Hawaii Department of Health limits.
Navy remains dedicated to ensuring all residents have safe drinking water and is working closely with Hawaii Department of Health and other stakeholders.