DOH plans change to ocean water testing during brown water advisories

HONOLULU (KHON2) — The state Department of Health is changing how often it tests ocean water for bacteria. The move is being applauded by beachgoers and conservation groups, but the changes might not go as well as planned.

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Right now, the DOH posts signs at beaches during a “brown water advisory,” when the ocean turns brown from run-off after heavy rain, but it does not actually test the water for bacteria during these events.

“If it’s brown, I don’t go out there,” said Eddie Fiel, surf instructor. “In the past, it’s gotten people really sick, lot of staph infections. It’s pretty dirty. Too polluted to swim in.”

“There is a really enhanced risk of contracting a potentially life-threatening pathogen when you enter waters that are visibly brown, carrying sediment and cat poop and whatever out of the watersheds,” said Daniel Amato, Surfrider Foundation Oahu Chapter.

The DOH does test water at some beaches regularly. A new proposal would require it to continue testing during brown water advisories.

“It’s really important to actually test during these brown water events because we have very limited data showing how bad it gets when the water is brown and when is it safe to go back in again,” said Amato. “If the water is clear, is it safe? We don’t really have an answer to that.”

The Department of Health declined our requests for an on-camera interview. In a statement, it said the change is to be responsive to the public with the available resources to have more information about enterococcus levels.

The department said it does not have the resources to test every beach during a brown water advisory, so the proposal is to test tier-one beaches as resources allow.

However, the department said it only has one tester on Maui, Hilo and Kona. The Kauai position is currently vacant. It did not specify how many testers are here on Oahu.

“We expect it to be clean and safe for everybody and that’s what we want, ideally,” said Fiel. “Safe spot. Good clean safe spot.”

The Surfrider Foundation’s “Blue Water Task Force” does test water regularly. Amato said just a couple of weeks ago at Magic Island, they found bacteria levels 16 times higher than the limit when the state is required to alert the public.

Amato said there were no signs up and the water was clear.

“It’s likely rain-event induced,” said Amato. “When we have rain in Manoa, the watersheds that kind of spills into the Ala Wai and that water makes its way all out here. And so whatever is happening in those watersheds is flowing right out into the surf break.”

“Bowls is very dirty,” said Fiel. “Compared to 200 yards to the east, rockpiles, completely different. You can definitely see the difference in color, texture, the feel, the smell. You don’t have to be smart to know that one.”

DOH is taking public comment on the issue until Sept. 13. The change is expected to go into effect on Sept. 30.