Hawai‘i State Department of Health

General Health Advisory

The public is reminded that after any storm event, storm water runoff may contain sewage, harmful
micro-organisms, and chemicals from commercial and industrial sources. For more information see below.

General Health Advisory Following Heavy Rains

News Release dated March 15, 2006

News Release dated March 3, 2006

News Release dated February 22, 2006

News Release dated February 1, 2005

General Health Advisory During and after a Storm Event

Sewage and Chemical Spills

Storm Water

Reporting Spills

Sewage and Chemical Spills

The public should avoid contact with surface waters, such as the ocean or streams, that may be contaminated by a sewage spill or chemical spill. Sewage can contain harmful micro-organisms (pathogens) that can cause illness. Chemicals can cause various illnesses that can be fatal.
Usually coastal waters are safe to enter due to tidal flushing after 48 hours. However, the public should wait for further instructions from the Department of Health through media releases as to when the stream or coastal water is safe to enter.

Storm Water

   The public should stay out of beaches or streams that are contaminated by storm (brown) water. Storm water can contain harmful micro-organisms (pathogens) and other harmful pollutants from overflowing sewage systems, such as cesspools or septic tanks, and animal feces flowing into storm drains.
   Excessive storm water can also contain sewage from overflowing manholes or chemicals from polluted runoff from comercial and industrial facilities.
Standing water from heavy rains can also contain pathogens from cesspools in unsewered areas, such as the North Shore Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island.
   Questions regarding the safety or cleaning of standing water or "brown water" in the coastal and inland areas of the State should be directed to the Department of Health, Clean Water Branch on Oahu at (808) 586-4309 during normal business hours.

Reporting Spills

   The Department of Health monitors for spills, works with Counties, and invites the public to report spills to (808) 586-4309 during normal business hours.
   On Oahu, sewage spills should be reported to the City and County of Honolulu at (808) 523-4423.
   Chemical spills should be reported to the Department of Health, Hazard Evaluation & Emergency Response Office at (808) 586-4249 during normal business hours and (808)247-2191 after normal business hours.

Phone: (808) 586-4309

Fax: (808) 586-4352

Current Warnings, Advisories, and Closures: (808) 586-5826

Mailing Address: Clean Water Branch
Environmental Management Division
State Department of Health
P.O. Box 3378
Honolulu, HI 96801-3378

Office Address: Clean Water Branch
Environmental Management Division
State Department of Health
919 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 301
Honolulu, HI 96814-4920

EMail Address: CleanWaterBranch@doh.hawaii.gov

Clean Water Branch - Kauai
Phone: (808) 241-3323
Fax: (808) 241-3566
Kauai District Health Office
3040 Umi Street
Lihue, Hawaii 96766 Clean Water Branch - Maui
Phone: (808) 984-8234
Fax: (808) 984-8237
Maui District Health Office
54 High Street, Room 300
Wailuku, Hawaii 96793

Clean Water Branch - Hilo
Phone: (808) 933-0401
Fax: (808) 933-0400
Hawaii District Health Office - Hilo
1582 Kamehameha Avenue
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Clean Water Branch - Kona
Phone: (808) 322-1967
Fax: (808) 322-1511
West Hawaii Environmental Health Office
Keakealani Building
79-1020 Haukapila Street, Room 113
Kealakekua, Hawaii 96750