Cesspool Disposal - Pollution Affects

  • WASTEWATER CONTAINS NUTRIENT POLLUTION THAT CHANGES MARINE LIMU

    This image shows 2 samples of the same species of limu. The sample on the left is rich in δ15 N nitrogen from processed wastewater, while the one on the right is “natural” limu low in δ15 N nitrogen. Learn more

  • WASTEWATER CONTAINS PATHOGENS THAT CAUSE DISEASE IN MARINE LIFE

    Land-based pollution is a contributor to reef degradation, show here in Ma'alaea, Maui

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  • KIHEI, MAUI, HAS BEEN CALLED A "GROUND ZERO" FOR FIBROPAPILLOMATOSIS

    Fibropapillomatosis is a disease that is caused by a herpes virus and manifests as tumors in turtles. The virus is injected into the environment, and green sea turtles ingest invasive ocean algae, fed by excess nitrogen found in injected wastewater in Kihei, causing the growth of the tumors, a leading cause of death of the endangered species.

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  • INFECTIOUS FISH ULCERS ARE A GLOBAL PHENOMENOM THAT CAN BE TRACED TO POLLUTION SOURCES LIKE INFECTED WASTEWATER

    Learn more by clicking on the resources below:

  • POLLUTION LOADING LEADS TO INFECTIOUS FISH ULCERS BY WAY OF SEVERAL VECTORS

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  • THE CORAL ITSELF IS AFFECTED BY LAND-BASED POLLUTION

    Human sewage identified as likely source of white pox disease of the threatened Caribbean elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata

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Do you know what species live downstream from your flushes in nearshore reef ecosystems?

A large number of unique marine life species live in nearshore ocean waters that are downstream from all disposal methods. Explore these colorful reef species images, learn the scientific name and Hawaiian name for those that have one, and explore a link to more information for each species

  • How does Cesspool's nutrient pollution compare?

    Most recent water quality data nutrient estimates summary

    DISPOSAL METHODYearly Gallons not reused (Gal/resident/year)Effluent Total Nitrogen Concentration (mg/L)HAR 11-54 open coastal water quality standard "do not exceed more than 2% of the time" (2014) Total Nitrogen Concentration (mg/L)Effluent Total Nitrogen concentration multiples of open coastal standard (X multiples)Effluent Total Phosphorous Concentration (mg/L)HAR 11-54 open coastal water quality standard "do not exceed more than 2% of the time" (2014) Total Phosphorous Concentration (mg/L)Effluent Total Phosphorus concentration multiples of open coastal standard (X multiples)Effluent Total Nutrients Nitrogen + Phosphorous Mass (lbs/resident/year)
    Kahului WWRF 36,389 10.47 0.35 30 1.17 0.06 20 3.3
    Kihei WWRF 9,818 11.35 0.35 32 0.864 0.06 14 1.1
    Lahaina WWRF 20,696 6.28 0.35 18 0.216 0.06 4 1.1
    Pukalani WWRF 1,118 13.1 0.35 37 0.35 0.06 6 0.2
    Septic 37,261 < 82 0.35 < 234 < 22 0.06 < 367 < 32.3
    Cesspool 37,261 < 90 0.35 < 257 < 20 0.06 < 333 < 34.2
    Hono Kai 37,261 24.4 0.35 70 2.95 0.06 49 8.5
    Island Sands 37,261 12.9 0.35 37 4.9 0.06 82 5.5
    Ka Nai A Nalu 37,261 24.6 0.35 70 4.58 0.06 76 9.1
    Lauloa 37,261 21.6 0.35 62 3.98 0.06 66 7.9
    Ma'alaea Banyans 37,261 25.5 0.35 73 5.28 0.06 88 9.6
    Ma'alaea Kai 37,261 11.9 0.35 34 1.82 0.06 30 4.3
    Ma'alaea Mermaid 37,261 26.9 0.35 77 3.7 0.06 62 9.5
    Ma'alaea Yacht 37,261 34.5 0.35 99 3.78 0.06 63 11.9
    Makani A Kai 37,261 10.59 0.35 30 1.4 0.06 23 3.7
    Milowai 37,261 40.8 0.35 117 9.75 0.06 163 12.7
  • How does Cesspool's fecal coliform compare?

    Most recent water quality data fecal coliform estimates summary

    DISPOSAL METHOD Yearly Gallons not reused Effluent coliform Cell Counts coliform EPA freshwater recreation standard Cell Counts (1976) Effluent coliform Cell Counts
    Gal/resident/year MPN/100mL water MPN/100mL water MPN/resident/year
    Kahului WWRF 36,389 > 2419.6 200 > 3,332,923,119
    Kihei WWRF 9,818 248.9 200 92,506,220
    Lahaina WWRF 20,696 < 1 200 < 783,420
    Pukalani WWRF 1,118 < 1 200 < 42,314
    Septic 37,261 < 160,000,000 200 < 225,676,194,470,394
    Cesspool 37,261 < 100,000,000 200 < 141,047,621,543,996
    Hono Kai 37,261 1600 200 2,256,761,945
    Island Sands 37,261 2 200 2,820,952
    Ka Nai A Nalu 37,261 < 2 200 < 2,820,952
    Lauloa 37,261 17 200 23,978,096
    Ma'alaea Banyans 37,261 < 20 200 < 28,209,524
    Ma'alaea Kai 37,261 16,000 200 22,567,619,447
    Ma'alaea Mermaid 37,261 < 2 200 < 2,820,952
    Ma'alaea Yacht 37,261 4 200 5,641,905
    Makani A Kai 37,261 1,600 200 2,256,761,945
    Milowai 37,261 17 200 23,978,096
  • Pathogenic Life Forms

    Interesting Facts about Injection Pathogenic Life Forms


    LIST OF PATHOGENIC (ILLNESS-CAUSING) LIFE FORMS COMMONLY FOUND IN INFECTED WASTEWATER, SUCH AS R-3 INJECTED IN KIHEI AND KAHULUI

    The list of pathogenic microbial species commonly found in non-disinfected wastewater is long and alarming, shown in the U.S. NIH list below.

    Respiratory infections such as COVID-19 and skin infections can be caused by water borne pathogens.

    The major pathogens of concern in municipal wastewater and diseases or illness associated with them:

    Name of pathogen

    Major disease or symptoms

    Bacteria
    Campylobacter jejuniGastroenteritis
    Escherichia coliGastroenteritis
    Salmonella spp.Salmonellosis, typhoid, paratyphoid

    Shigella spp.

    Bacillary dysentery
    StaphylococcusSkin Infections, bacteremia, toxic shock syndrome, septic arthritis
    StreptococcusCellulitis, Pink eye, meningitis, pneumonia, endocarditis, necrotizing fasciitis
    Vibrio choleraeCholera
    Yersinia spp.Gastroenteritis
    Viruses
    AdenovirusUpper respiratory infection and gastroenteritis
    AstrovirusGastroenteritis
    Coxsackie virusMeningitis, pneumonia, fever
    EchovirusMeningitis, paralysis, encephalitis, fever
    Hepatitis virusInfectious hepatitis, miscarriage, and death
    Human calicivirusEpidemic gastroenteritis with severe diarrhea
    Polio virusPoliomyelitis
    ReovirusRespiratory infections, gastroenteritis
    RotavirusAcute gastroenteritis with severe diarrhea
    TT hepatitisHepatitis
    COVID-19Acute respiratory illness

    Protozoa

    Balantidium coliBalantidiasis
    Cryptosporidium spp.Cryptosporidiosis
    Entamoeba histolyticaAcute amoebic dysentery
    Giardia duodenalisGiardiasis
    Toxoplasma gondiiToxoplasmosis
    Helminths
    Ascaris lumbricoidesAscariosis
    Ascaris suumCoughing and chest pain
    Hymenolepis nanaHymenolepiasis
    Necator americanusHookworm disease
    Taenia saginataInsomnia, anorexia
    Taenia soliumInsomnia, anorexia
    Toxocara canisFever, abdominal pain, muscle ache
    Trichuris trichiuraDiarrhea, anemia, weight loss


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