Honolulu’s Board of Water Supply (BWS) had to recently shut down the largest water source on Oahu after the Navy revealed that they had found contamination.

Leaks into Oahu’s water supply have been widely recorded over the years, with the news contamination being discovered in the Red hill well. The Navy made the announcement at a virtual town hall meeting, which led to the BWS shutting down the water source.

The contamination was later confirmed to be a petroleum leak, resulting in more than 700 people having to relocate temporarily as their homes had contaminated water.

An official statement went out saying, “The results of the Red Hill sample showed petroleum hydrocarbons roughly four to ten times below the Hawaii Department of Health Environmental Action Level (EAL). The Navy had a separate test that confirmed vapors, which is another indication of petroleum hydrocarbons,” it said in a statement. The Navy is developing a plan to restore the potable water system to EPA standards, identify how this contaminant got in the well, and fix the well.”

By the time the breach was caught, people had already begun to experience symptoms of consuming petroleum. 

There is also concern over the fact that the Navy did not notify the BWS of the water breach until 11 days after they had discovered the contamination.

Oahu’s water system will have to be repeatedly flushed  before people can return to their homes safely.

Sign this petition, and tell Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to institute a nationwide requirement for water testing in schools.

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