Kahuku Wastewater Treatment Plant - Pollution Effects

  • 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 Kahuku's wastewater pollution compare?
    DISPOSAL METHOD 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) How much higher is the Effluent Total Nitrogen Concentration compared to the open coastal standard? (X multiplies) 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) How much higher is the Effluent Total Phosphorous Concentration compared to the open coastal standard? (X multiplies) Effluent Enterococcus Concentration (CFU/100mL) HAR 11-54 recreational standards for all state waters "shall not exceed a geometric mean of 35 CFU / 100mL over any 30-day interval" How much higher is the Effluent Enterococcus Concentration compared to the recreational water standard? (X multiplies)
    Sand Island WWTP 24.44 0.35 70 2.47 0.06 41 6277 35 179
    Kailua Regional WWTP NA 0.35 NA NA 0.06 NA 7336 35 209.6
    Honouliuli WWTP 36.1 0.35 103 4.5 0.06 75 328924 35 9398
    Wai'anae WWTP 7.73 0.35 22 4.07 0.06 68 NA 35 NA
    Wahiawa WWTP 12.6 0.35 36 3.39 0.06 57 NA 35 NA
    Laie WRF NA 0.35 NA NA 0.06 NA 0 (*coliform) 35 0
    Waimanalo WWTP 1.9 0.35 5 2.23 0.06 37 9500 35 271
    Kahuku WWTP 0.8 0.35 2 2.85 0.06 48 59 35 2
    Pa'ala'a Kai WWTP 17.9 0.35 51 6.48 0.06 108 140 35 4
    East Honolulu WWTP NA 0.35 NA NA 0.06 NA 2.5 35 0.07

    NA = No data available

  • 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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