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Beach water advisory issued for lagoon at Ko Olina

A beach water bacteria advisory for Ulua Lagoon 4 at Ko Olina Resort issued Thursday by the Clean Water Branch of the state Department of Health is still in effect until further notice.

Levels of 429 enterococci per 100 mL of water, exceeding the EPA water quality threshold level of 130 enterococci per 100 mL, were found during routine beach monitoring.

Enterococcus is a fecal indicator bacteria, meaning it is commonly found in the presence of other, pathogenic microorganisms.

“The advisory for this beach is posted because testing for enterococci indicate that potentially harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, or parasites may be present in the water,” the advisory said. “Swimming at beaches with pollution in the water may make you ill.”

A common illness arising from contact with water polluted by fecal pathogens is gastroenteritis, symptoms of which can include nausea, vomiting, stomachache, diarrhea, headache or fever.

Ear, eye, nose and throat infections can also result from swimming at polluted beaches.

Those most likely to develop illnesses after coming into contact with polluted water are children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems, the advisory said.

The lagoon beach has been posted and the advisory will remain in effect until water sample test results no longer exceed the threshold level.

For more information, visit eha-cloud.doh.hawaii.gov/cwb.

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