Scores of Red Hill Housing families given green light to return home, but some say more testing is needed

It’s the first zone on the water system that has been cleared to drink since the water contamination crisis began in late November.
Published: Feb. 14, 2022 at 12:43 PM HST|Updated: Feb. 15, 2022 at 6:27 AM HST
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HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The state has declared the Navy water that serves the 135 households in the Red Hill Housing Army complex along with Red Hill Elementary is now safe to drink, but officials stressed the message doesn’t apply to other areas that get their tap water from the Navy.

It’s the first zone on the water system that has been cleared to drink since the water contamination crisis began in late November and the state issued a “do not drink” advisory. Meanwhile, there are 18 other zones on the water system that still must be cleared amid the ongoing flushing process.

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In total, the Navy water line serves an estimated 93,000 customers.

“While this announcement is a step forward, we have a long way to go,” said Gov. David Ige, at a news conference. “We must not forget: This disaster shouldn’t have happened in the first place.

“We are here because the Navy contaminated drinking water with fuel.”

The news Monday means that displaced Red Hill families within the cleared zone can return home.

Col. Scott Gallaway, 25th Infantry Division chief of staff, said the Army will stop covering the cost of food and hotels for Red Hill Housing residents on Thursday.

“We are very confident that water is safe and clean for our residents,” said Gallaway. “Now that being said there will be a few residents that have some concerns and and we will address those on a case by case basis.”

Some residents are still nervous after learning that only 10% of the neighborhood was tested.

“Anything less than 100% testing is unacceptable,” said Army Maj. Amanda Feindt.

“How do you expect me to trust that the home and the water system that once poisoned my family is good without having any sort of test results?”

“I’m devastated,” added Jamie Williams who lives in Red Hill Housing.

“I think there’s still a lot of questions that a lot of people have about contaminants found in the water that maybe the EPA doesn’t regulate. That we really need answers to before anyone feels OK about going home and using the water,” she added.

Board of Water Supply Chief Engineer and Manager also raised doubts about how authorities were clearing areas with only a percentage of homes tested.

“I don’t want to second guess the Department of Health and the Navy, they signed that agreement on that plan and how to return people back,” he said, adding, “The approach I would have taken even it would be much more involved would be to test 100% of the homes. It’s about rebuilding trust.”

But the state’s toxicologist says 10% sampling is a good representation.

“Ten percent gives a 99% confidence based on the statistics,” said toxicologist Diana Felton.

“No it is not 100% of the houses but we understand that but it is a representative sample and we feel it is adequate to indicate the healthiness and the safety of the water.”

Felton said the most recent testing showed there is no longer contamination in the Red Hill neighborhood.

“For contamination of total petroleum hydrocarbons there is no contamination above the project screening level,” said Felton.

One water sample showed 140 parts per billion of total petroleum hydrocarbon, which is below the state’s 211 parts billion conservative screening level.

“There were trace amounts of petroleum in one sample that was collected from houses and buildings in the I1 neighborhood,” said Felton.

The state Health Department said the long-term plan is to continue monitoring testing over the next two years. For the first three months, 5% of homes will be regularly tested.

And after that, 10% of homes will be tested in six-month intervals.

“The Department of Health will not amend its advisory until we are sure the water is safe,” said Kathleen Ho, deputy director of Environmental Health.

The expensive water flushing effort comes amid an ongoing effort to compel the Navy to empty its Red Hill fuel tanks. The Navy is challenging a state order to defuel its underground facility in federal court.

Gallaway said family members who do have concerns can call the Task Force Ohana Hotline at 808-620-7938 or 808-620-7951. In addition, the Army will be setting up a family assistance center at the Aliamanu Military Reservation Community Center which will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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