The water reclamation facility at Marine Corps Base Hawaii has reported enterococci levels were back under the permitted limits Wednesday, February 16th, with an estimated count of 20,000 CFU per 100 mL, well below the daily discharge limit of 57,850 CFU per 100 mL. The clean water health advisory will remain in effect until lifted by the HI Department of Health.

MCBH first reported an enterococci exceedance February 8th, with the suspected cause being a large scale effort to clean out the sediment and dead algae to maximize efficacy of the polishing ponds. Maintenance is now complete which allows the ponds to regain optimal efficiency and enhance effluent quality. The WRF contributes approximately 10% of the total effluent going to the ocean outfall with the remainder being treated by the City and County (C&C). This combined outfall point is approximately two miles off-shore from MCBH at 110 feet below the surface of the ocean. MCBH is currently exploring additional measures to compensate for future maintenance activities.