The County of Hawai‘i Department of Environmental Management reported the release of an estimated 3,600 gallons of wastewater onto Waiānuenue Avenue, near the ʻUlulani Street intersection in Hilo, between noon and 6 p.m. on July 4.

The water overflowed from the building and sewer cleanout located at 261 Waianuenue Ave and entered a storm drain inlet at the corner of Waianuenue Avenue and Kinoole Street, which is connected to the storm drain system that discharges into Hilo Bay.

DEM-Wastewater Division determined that the overflow is related to the accumulation of debris in the collection system, which then caused wastewater to back up until it overflowed from the building and sewer cleanout onto Waianuenue Avenue.

Responding crews removed the debris to release the blockage and resume normal flow. They also cleaned and disinfected Waiānuenue Avenue from the point of the spill to the storm drain. Warning signs have been posted at the shoreline entry points, and shoreline samples have been collected for laboratory analysis.