Chemicals in
water pose no
danger, state says

By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

Trace elements of chemicals have been detected in Hawaii drinking water, according to the state Health Department.

But the department said no health threats are posed by the levels found in water systems during continuing routine sampling.

The chemicals were found at:

Honolulu Board of Water Supply Waipahu I Pumps 3 and 4 and Haleiwa Pump 2.

The presence of trichloroethylene was confirmed in samples taken at these wells. The concentration at all three wells was between 0.2 and 0.5 micrograms per liter or parts per billion, well below the federal maximum contaminant level of 5 ppb.

Water at Waipahu I is treated with granular activated carbon and after treatment does not contain the chemical. Trichloroethylene is a common metal-cleaning and dry-cleaning fluid. It generally gets into drinking water by improper waste disposal.

BWS Punaluu II Well and Makaha I Well.

The presence of isophorone was confirmed in samples taken at Punaluu. Isophorone is not a regulated contaminant, so it does not have a maximum contaminant level value. However, the Environmental Protection Agency has set drinking water health advisories for lifetime exposure at 100 ppb and has estimated a cancer risk of one in a million at 40 ppb.

The concentration of isophorone ranged from 1.0 to 3.6 ppb, well below the EPA's health advisories. This contaminant is used in some herbicides and pesticides. It is also commonly used as a solvent in paints, coatings and adhesives.

Isophorone also was confirmed in samples taken at the Board of Water Supply's Makaha I well. The concentration of isophorone ranged from 0.6 to 1.2 ppb, well below the EPA's health advisories.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

The presence of ethylbenzene was confirmed in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park water catchment system. The concentration of ethylbenzene was between 0.3 and 1.0 ppb, below the federal maximum contaminant level of 700 ppb. This contaminant is used in gasoline, pesticides and paints.

Anahola Farm Lots.

The presence of phenanthrene was confirmed in samples taken at this farm well.

Its concentration was between 0.05 to 0.07 ppb.