Hawai’i Department Of Health Confirms High Levels Of Petroleum Contamination In Navy’s Red Hill Shaft
Recent water samples taken from the Navy’s Red Hill drinking water shaft in Hawai‘i tested positive for high levels of gasoline and diesel range hydrocarbons.
These chemicals are associated with diesel fuel that were 350 times above that the level Hawai‘i considers safe, according to testing conducted by the state Department of Health (DOH).
The Red Hill Shaft samples also tested positive for gasoline range organics more than 66 times the DOH Environmental Action Levels (EAL).
The full laboratory results can be found here.
Trace levels of petroleum were also found in samples collected at the Aliamanu Child Development Center and private residences on the Navy’s water system, according to DOH.
Samples collected from Aliamanu Child Development Center on Dec. 3 tested positive for trace levels of oil range organics below the drinking water threshold. Additionally, a level of 52 ppb of total petroleum hydrocarbons oil range organics was detected in a sample from the center.
A level approximately 50 ppb of product consistent with petroleum was detected in samples from the Eagle Circle at Red Hill and Milo Lane in Aliamanu Military Reservation as well, reported DOH.
Navy water system users are urged to avoid using the water for drinking, cooking or oral hygiene. Users who detect a fuel-like odor from their water should avoid using the water for drinking, cooking, bathing, dishwashing, laundry or oral hygiene.
Laboratory results from the Aliamanu Child Development Center can be found here.
Laboratory results from the Eagle Circle and Milo Lane residences can be found here.
The DOH samples were analyzed by Eurofins Laboratory in California.
