Sewage spill reported

Hawaii County officials notified the public Monday afternoon about a “discharge of untreated wastewater at shoreline” near the Wailuku River and Kaipalaoa Landing in Hilo.

A leak in a sewer lateral line caused the problem at the corner of Waianuenue Avenue and Kinoole Street, with officials estimating a small leak of about 1 gallon per hour.

The state Department of Health requires the shoreline be posted with warning signs despite the small nature of the spill. Testing will continue until an all-clear is issued by the DOH.

The county noted it was “in the process of coordinating repair of the broken sewer lateral.”