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 adjacent to the refinery. Fisherman, divers, and the general public should stay out of waters from the mouth of Barbers Point Harbor to Nimitz Beach.

CWB and DOH Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office are continuing its investigation of what and how much of the red effluent is being discharged into the ocean. For more information call Mike Tsuji, CWB Enforcement Supervisor, at 586-4309.

UPDATE: Outfall is 1150 feet from shore and not 150 feet as reported.

Comments (0) •  Leave a comment •  Updated at 2009-05-02 01:00:15 UTC