EPA clears Oahu drinking water systems after Red Hill fuel contamination
(UI) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has concluded that drinking water systems impacted by the 2021 Red Hill fuel release in Oahu have been free of fuel contamination and in compliance with regulatory standards since 2022.
The agency’s final report covers the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) and Aliamanu Military Reservation (AMR) public water systems, which serve tens of thousands of residents and were affected after fuel leaked from the U.S. Navy’s Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.
The findings follow a multi-year investigation that included extensive sampling, system inspections and independent analysis of water quality data. According to EPA, the systems now meet all federal and state drinking water requirements and can continue routine compliance monitoring under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
“The communities served by the Pearl Harbor and Aliamanu water systems can rest assured that their drinking water is safe from fuel contamination. Our agency’s assessment of the methodical and exhaustive water testing confirms that decontamination of the water system accomplished its objective,” said Acting EPA Pacific Southwest Region Administrator Michael Martucci. “EPA will continue supporting Oahu communities through our role overseeing the Hawaii Department of Health’s implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act. EPA remains committed to holding responsible parties accountable for improving these water systems and seeing through the cleanup and safe closure of Red Hill.”
EPA described the assessment as one of the most extensive post-incident drinking water reviews conducted for a system of this size. The effort included three years of sampling at residences and priority buildings, as well as analysis of petroleum-related contaminants and independent verification of results.
The agency also reviewed investigations conducted by the Hawaii Department of Health and evaluated the Navy’s sampling protocols and system operations.
Based on the findings, EPA supports returning the systems to standard monitoring requirements, with oversight continuing through state regulators.
The agency said it will continue working with the Navy, Army and Hawaii Department of Health on long-term system improvements, groundwater protection and the permanent closure of the Red Hill facility under an existing administrative order.
EPA is also releasing a public dashboard with drinking water sampling data and plans to host a webinar to discuss the report’s findings.
The Red Hill fuel release in November 2021 contaminated a key drinking water source and triggered an advisory affecting roughly 93,000 residents. Restrictions were lifted in March 2022 after initial remediation efforts, and water quality has met regulatory standards since that time.
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