Before jumping into the ocean, did you ever stop to think whether or not the ocean water was clean? If there were any kinds of bacterial waste water in there that you needed to worry about? Or if the water was even safe enough to swim in? It’s not common to stop and think like this on a sunny beach day, but after reading this article, you won’t be surprised why I feel I have to stop to ask myself these questions before jumping into the ocean.
I read an article which talked about groups that sent a notice to the County of Maui of their intent to sue the county for violations of the Clean Water Act into the waters of west Maui through the Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility (LWRF). The groups included Hawaii Wildlife Fund, West Maui Preservation Association, Surfrider Foundation - Maui Chapter and Sierra Club - Maui Group.
According to the groups, the county facility in Honokowai injects millions of gallons of wastewater every day into the groundwater via injection wells. Although the water is treated at the facility, it still contains bacteria, chemicals and other pollutants when it is pumped into the ground. The Maui County replied by saying that the LWRF operates under permits from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state Department of Health (DOH), and the plant is functioning in compliance with all laws. But, The Clean Water Act completely forbids putting pollutants into the ocean without a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit that limits the things that flows like these. The county never got this NPDES permit for the West Maui facility.
I was so surprised when I read about this, I wasn’t even aware that this was happening on the island. I feel like the Maui County is being completely careless about our Maui Ocean, reefs, and the environment. Earth-justice attorney Paul Achitoff said, “The wastewater flowing from the Lahaina facility is heavily contributing to the decline of coral reefs and the nearshore ecosystem in marine waters on the West Maui coast.” If this distribution of polluted waste waters into the ocean damages the reefs and hurts the marine life, why was this ever allowed to happen in the first place? but since it was, why is it taking so long for the problem to get fixed? I’m mad about this issue because it’s causing damage to our island, but I’m also angry with myself for being so oblivious to what was happening to the waters here. Maybe if more people were aware of the problems that Maui faces, more people would try to take action and that might just make a difference for the better. I know now to go out and find out for myself what is really happening to our islands’ agriculture, oceans, and life.
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