HEER Office

This release triggered an emergency response and DOH issuance of an Advisory on November 29, 2021 for the entire JBPHH Public Water System No. 360. State and Federal Drinking Water (DW) Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) under the Safe Drinking Water Act do not adequately address petroleum contamination of drinking water. DOH has established Environmental Action Levels (EALs) and Incident Specific Parameters (ISPs) to more comprehensively monitor and respond to petroleum contaminated drinking water. Any contaminants that exceed the State and Federal DW MCLs, EALs, or ISPs require additional action prior to amending the Advisory. Satisfaction of the lines of evidence will be achieved by evaluating the data generated during the investigation conducted by the Interagency Drinking Water System Team (IDWST). The data will be assessed for each Zone of the Drinking Water Distribution System Recovery Plan. All lines of evidence will require documentation.

DOH’s priority is to protect the public health of the people of Hawaii. DOH will evaluate the “lines of evidence” that must be met before amending the health advisory and issuing notices that the water can be used for all purposes including drinking. The Navy must also commit to following the long‐term monitoring (LTM) of system water quality for this incident under the IDWST Drinking Water Sampling Plan, as amended.

State and Federal Drinking Water MCLs, specified State Environmental Action Levels, and ISPs are considered in development of Project Screening Levels.