Soil fumigant detected in Leeward Oahu water samples

The state Department of Health has detected trace levels of a soil fumigant and other chemical used in pineapple cultivation in water samples at a well in the Waipahu-Ewa-Waianae area.

The chemical at Waipahu Wells IV at 0.011 parts per billion is “far below” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state maximum contaminant levels. The trace level is about one-twentieth of the EPA standard of 0.2 parts per billion and the state maximum contaminant level of 0.04 parts per billion allowed in drinking water.

Drinking water from the well is safe and the chemicals are being filtered out through the Honolulu Board of Water Supply’s treatment facilities before consumer consumption, the DOH said.

“These trace levels of chemical are so small that it does not pose a public health threat, and the water filtered from this well is safe to drink,” Keith Kawaoka, Deputy Director for Environmental Health, said in a news release. “The Department of Health will continue to work together with the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, to ensure tests for this chemical continue. Such testing is part of the scheduled monitoring regularly conducted to ensure that everyone’s water is safe and public health is not compromised.”