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Trace amounts of chromium have been detected for the first time in water samples collected at the Laupahoehoe P-2 Well.

The well is part of the Hawaii County Department of Water Supply’s Laupahoehoe-Kapehu system and serves the Laupahoehoe area.

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Chromium was detected in samples collected on March 4 and April 15, the state Department of Health said Wednesday.

DWS notified the DOH about the initial detection on May 2.

The detected chromium levels ranged from 1.4 to 2.42 parts per billion and were below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state Maximum Contaminant Level for chromium of 100 parts per billion, according to the DOH.

The presence of chromium in the sample is attributed to discharges from steel and pulp mills and/or the erosion of natural deposits.

“To date, the Laupahoehoe-Kapehu water system is and continues to be in compliance with federal and state chromium standards for drinking water,” DOH said.