The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (DOH) amended its health advisory for Zone I1, Red Hill Housing, of the Navy water system.
According to the DOH, residents in this zone may now use their water for all purposes.
The advisory amendment for Zone I1 went into effect Feb. 14. The zone is within the Army’s Aliamanu Military Reservation (AMR) Public Water System, which is a water system that is a consecutive system to the Navy’s Pearl Harbor-Hickam Public Water System. AMR’s source of water comes from the Navy’s system. Navy water system users in other areas remain under the health advisory and should not consume tap water.
DOH and Interagency Drinking Water System Team tested the Navy’s water source, Waiawa Shaft, drinking water distribution system water lines, homes and buildings in Zone I1, according to DOH.
The health advisory was lifted after all tests met requirements for drinking water safety, reported DOH. DOH completed an updated project screening level for cumulative Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons of 211 parts per billion (ppb), as well as a risk-based analysis based on the likely release of JP-5 jet fuel.
“Today’s amendment for Zone I1 is the result of months of work overseen by DOH and the U.S. EPA to provide individuals and families in Red Hill Housing with assurance that their water is safe to drink,” said Deputy Director of Environmental Health Kathleen Ho, reported the DOH. “We understand that many are wary, and we will continue to investigate complaints and hold the Navy accountable to provide safe drinking water. DOH will act methodically, based on science, and in a manner that is protective of public health as we evaluate the remaining Navy water system zones.”
Petroleum entered the Navy’s Red Hill Shaft and the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam drinking water distribution system in November 2021, according to the DOH. An emergency response was ensured and a health advisory was placed by DOH on Nov. 29, 2021.
