Chevron Refinery Discharging Red Effluent Off Barbers Point, OAHU

Issued Tue Apr, 28 2009.
Reason: Other.
Island: Oahu.

During an inspection of Chevron by The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH), Clean Water Branch (CWB), of the Chevron refinery located in Campbell Industrial Park, it was discovered that an unreported red effluent was being diluted and discharged with their normal water wastestream through their outfall pipe located 150 feet from shore. Chevron has since diverted the wastestream into two not normally used stormwater overflow ponds however, it was found to be leaking to the shoreline.

It is unknown how much of the red effluent was discharged into the ocean but Chevron and the DOH are having the effluent analyzed and tested for toxicity. At this time, Chevron believes that it could be phenols. As a precaution, warning signs have been posted along the shoreline at the refinery stating that people should stay out of the water in that area.

“The shoreline at Barbers Point is a used as a recreation area by fishermen” said Keith Kawaoka, manager of the DOH Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office (HEER). “Both the HEER and CWB are continuing its investigation of what and how much of the red effluent is being discharged into the ocean.” Kawaoka has made this effort a priority. For more information, please contact the Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office at 586-4249.

Comments (0) •  Leave a comment •  Updated at Wed Apr 29 06:00:23 UTC 2009