The Department of Health has reached penalty settlements with two government agencies, including the state-operated Kaua’i Veterans Memorial Hospital, and three companies over violations connected with underground storage tanks. The alleged violations, which involved a total penalty payment of $83,623,
The Department of Health has reached penalty settlements with two government agencies, including the state-operated Kaua’i Veterans Memorial Hospital, and three companies over violations connected with underground storage tanks.
The alleged violations, which involved a total penalty payment of $83,623, were resolved by consent degrees reached between March 2002 and May 2003, health department officials said.
Representatives for KVMH paid $5,400 to resolve a notice of violation from the health department for allegedly failing to upgrade an emergency generator and for failing to immediately cease operating a substandard tank called for by the health department.
The storage tank stores about 600 gallons of diesel fuel, which is used for the hospital’s emergency generator, according to Miles Takaaze, public affairs director for Hawaii Health Systems Corp.
The entity manages the rural hospital, Mahelona Hospital and ten other rural hospitals in the state.
The tank was installed at KVMH with a cathodic protector in 1999, a device that triggers warning’s when a tank spill occurs, Takaaze said.
During a hazardous waste inspection in November of that year, tests were done that showed the device was not operating properly, he said.
KVMH officials responded immediately to the situation, developing a “plan of correction” that was submitted to state regulators for review and approval, Takaaze said.
The plan was completed in November 2000, and there were incidents of overflow reported, Takaaze said.
Generator testing is done weekly to ensure uninterrupted power for KVMH, he said.
The health department also reached penalty payments with the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company, the Maui Prince Hotel and Commercial Enterprises.
Since the health department’s underground storage tank program began in May 2000, the department has issued 206 field citations totaling $186,400 in penalty assessments.
Statewide, the health department regulates 2,035 underground storage tanks used at 1,032 facilities.
