last month also filled one of the cells at Waimanalo Gulch Landfill with rainwater that was eventually pumped into the ocean.
Environmental watchdog Carroll Cox believes pollutants in the runoff poses a hazard to plants, animals and humans in the area.
“The chemicals that people throw away and household waste and all of that is being introduced potentially into the water system,” said Cox, who heads the non-profit group EnviroWatch.
Health Department spokeswoman Janice Okubo said 7.5 million gallons of storm water gathered inside the E6 cell of the landfill during heavy rains that began December 19. The estimate was provided to state health inspectors by Waste Management, the company that runs Waimanalo Gulch for the City and County of Honolulu.
“Some amount of that water or more was discharged into the ocean, and Waste Management has been unable to provide that amount to the DOH,” Okubo wrote in an email to Khon2.
Landfill general manager Paul Whelan said it’s unknown how much of the runoff actually entered the ocean since the pumps that removed rain water from the cell did not have any gauges.
“The discharge was allowed under our permit with the Health Department and met all guidelines (for contaminants),” said Whelan.
Whelan explained storm water that gathered inside the landfill cell was pumped into a concrete channel that snakes down Waimanalo Gulch, runs beneath Farrington Highway and exits into the ocean behind Ko Olina Resort.
Testing done on the runoff four days after the storm’s initial rains fell on December 19 showed contaminants did not surpass state health guidelines.
The only chemical that tested above state guidelines was zinc, which showed a level of .044 milligrams per liter, which is .073 mg/l above the benchmark set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Still, Sen. Josh Green, a physician who also chairs the Health Committee, believes anyone who lives on the Waianae Coast shouldn’t be swimming in the ocean near the landfill after a big rain.
“Avoid it,” said Green in a telephone interview with Khon2. “It's still just smart because these samples are just spots in time and it's hard to guarantee as a health care provider that it's gonna be completely safe.”
Although the runoff flowing from the landfill last month tested within acceptable limits for contaminants, Green says he’s disappointed warning signs were not posted to warn people about the potential danger from staph or e-coli infections.
“Some people are more sensitive than others so a sign does no harm,” he said. “It's a good idea.”
LANDFILL IMPROVEMENTS
Whelan told Khon2 the landfill is currently putting in place over a mile of additional 72 inch piping that will help channel runoff from heavy rains away from cells that hold trash.
“The piping begins above the landfill near the expansion area and goes all the way down the hill,” said Whelan. “It should be a big help.”
In February of 2006 Waste Management was fined $2.8 million by the state Health Department for eighteen violations that included exceeding waste height limits, allowing excessive liquid buildup, or leaching and failing to cover solid waste on a daily basis.
The company eventually reached a settlement with the state and ended up paying $1.5 million.
In late 2005 a new $2 million berm fronting the landfill was installed serve as a windbreak, improve aesthetics and reinforce the stability of the landfill.
That same year a gas collection and control system was installed at a cost of $1.5 million. The collection system sends methane gas to a flare which burn at 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit and helps mitigate odors.
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