KAPAIA — Wastewater officials estimate that up to 1,000 gallons of sewage overflowed from a manhole Wednesday morning in Kapaia. The spill was contained to the immediate area of the manhole, and did not run off to the Hanamaulu Stream.
KAPAIA — Wastewater officials estimate that up to 1,000 gallons of sewage overflowed from a manhole Wednesday morning in Kapaia.
The spill was contained to the immediate area of the manhole, and did not run off to the Hanamaulu Stream.
Authorities were notified of the spill about 7:10 a.m.
The spill was caused by roots clogging the sewer main, which resulted in the flow backing up upstream of the clog and eventually overflowing from the manhole, according to the county.
The spill was abated by 9 a.m. and the cleanup was completed by 2 p.m., with affected areas being disinfected with granulated chlorine.
The affected area was on the hillside above Kuhio Highway in Kapaia, where the sewer line comes down the hill within an easement and joins up with the sewer main on Kuhio Highway. The only access to this area for service equipment was from the southbound shoulder of the highway.
The work area was along the southbound lane of Kuhio Highway between Hanamaulu and Maalo Road.
Traffic was diverted to allow traffic to flow in both directions while the work proceeded. The partial closure was in effect between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The highway was completely open at 2 p.m.
The response and cleanup was coordinated by the county in collaboration with the state Department of Health.
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