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Kona sewage spill stopped but people should stay out of Kailua Bay

The sewage spill in Kailua Bay on the Kailua-Kona side of Hawaii island has been stopped but officials want people to stay out of the water until it’s safe.

State Department of Health officials are waiting to confirm that the water is safe for swimming and fishing, likely on Friday, according to the Hawaii County mayor’s office.

Crews have been working to remove and replace corroded sections of sewer pipe since untreated wastewater was discharged Monday at the shoreline near Ali’i Drive in Kailua-Kona, the mayor’s office said in a news release.

New sections of pipe have stopped the release of sewage into the bay and water samples have been submitted to the Department of Health, the mayor’s office said.

In a statement, William Kucharski, director of the county’s Department of Environmental Management, said, “The public will be kept informed on when it is safe to go back into the water. We really appreciate everyone’s patience as things get back to normal.”

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