Navy officials are working on providing sources of drinking water for Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam area residents impacted by Hawaii’s Health Department advisory to not use water that comes from the Navy’s water system.
According to DOH in tweets on Nov. 29, it received complaints of a fuel-like odor from consumers of the Navy’s Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam water system, including the Aliamanu Military Reservation, Red Hill and Nimitz Elem Schools & military housing.
DOH recommends all Navy water system users avoid using the water for drinking, cooking, or oral hygiene.
According to the Navy, it has not detected petroleum constituents in initial testing after many residents of Aliamanu Military Reservation, Red Hill and military housing reported a strong fuel smell coming from their taps, reported The Star Advertiser.
“The Navy’s current guidance for Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam military housing residents is to report any chemical or petroleum odors associated with their potable water,” said a statement, reported The Star Advertiser. “If chemical or petroleum odors are present, recommend avoiding ingestion as a cautionary measure. The Navy is moving forward to provide sources of drinking water to affected residents and to sample affected locations.”
More stringent tests are being conducted by independent testing laboratories on the mainland to determine if the water meets EPA standards.
The investigation is ongoing and the Navy will update residents.
According to the Navy, it is not clear if there is any connection between the reports of potential water contamination and the Navy’s Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility.
”As a regulated water system under the jurisdiction of the DOH’s Safe Drinking Water Branch, the Navy is responsible for maintaining a safe and reliable source of drinking water to its customers and provide alternative sources of drinking water for human consumptive uses as deemed necessary,” added the advisory.
