CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Most people stayed out of the water yesterday at Kailua Beach Park, where Kaelepulu Stream flows into the ocean, but some beachgoers braved the pollution to go swimming.
E. Oahu beaches
get most pollutionThe state and city await test
results of sites contaminated
by recent sewage spills
Taka Ishikawa snorkeled yesterday, swallowing some sewage-contaminated water at Kailua Beach Park.
The Japanese visitor warned his family to stay out of the water after being told about the small warning sign above the beach that read: "Caution. Do not enter. Sewage Spill. Contaminated Area."
Ishikawa said he did not see the warning sign posted on the grassy hill above the beach and along Kaelepulu Stream.
Kailua, Lanikai and Waimanalo beaches are among the most contaminated by sewage spills triggered by heavy rains just before the weekend, according to environmental engineer Libby Stoddard with the Department of Health's Clean Water Branch.
Bacteria levels are high at some Oahu beaches because of raw and treated sewage spills and storm runoff, which contaminated several streams that flow into the ocean.
"Stay out unless it's clear," Stoddard warned.
She also advised people not to eat fish caught in contaminated areas for a while.
At a Hart Street site in the Nuuanu Stream area, bacteria counts were higher a day after the sewage spill than at the time of the spill, Stoddard said.
CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Two boys were among those who entered the water.
She also warned, "Stay out of the streams."
She predicted beaches may be declared safe this afternoon, after test results from water samples taken Sunday come back.
A city spokeswoman said yesterday it may take an additional four days for beaches to return to normal.
Beachgoers could find a few safe beaches yesterday. Stoddard named Sandy Beach, Hanauma Bay and all beaches from Diamond Head to Point Panic, which includes Waikiki and Ala Moana.
Bacteria could cause gastrointestinal illness, diarrhea or stomach illness, according to the Health Department.
People are also advised to stay out of standing water in low-lying areas served by septic tanks and cesspools in parts of Waianae, the North Shore and the Windward Coast.
Stoddard held a news conference yesterday but did not provide the results of tests on water samples collected at 11 sites Saturday. The city also did not provide test results.
Testing for bacteria from human feces (fecal coliform enterococci, clostridium perfringens) as well as heavy metals and oils from urban and agricultural runoff is being conducted.
Stoddard blamed people who uncapped homes' sewer drains to allow storm water from their yards to drain. That flooded the city sewage systems and waste-water treatment plants, leading to sewage going into streams, she said.
The sewage system is designed to handle sewage, not storm water, she said.
Raw sewage flowed from two sites Saturday: a manhole on a Kailua street and the Waimanalo Wastewater Treatment Plant.
