U.S. EPA orders City and County of Honolulu and Waste Management to address stormwater violations at Waimanalo Gulch Landfill

HONOLULU – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week issued an order to the City and County of Honolulu and Waste Management, Inc. The order emphasizes the urgent need for stringent measures to rectify ongoing stormwater violations at the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill on Oahu. This directive comes in response to concerns raised about the potential environmental impacts and public health risks associated with improper stormwater management. The EPA’s order mandates immediate steps to ensure compliance with federal regulations. Additionally, it highlights the importance of protecting both local ecosystems and the community’s well-being. The agency expects thorough documentation of the actions taken. It also expects a timeline for implementing necessary improvements. This is intended to prevent any further infractions.

EPA’s ongoing review of operations at the landfill revealed violations of the Clean Water Act. Additionally, the review found violations of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit regulating stormwater discharges from the landfill.

“The City and County of Honolulu and Waste Management must complete work on stormwater protections at the landfill quickly,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. He added, “We will monitor the work closely. This way, runoff from future storms will be controlled properly. Consequently, we protect residents’ health and Oahu’s coastal waters.”

EPA Found Honolulu and Waste Management

EPA found the City and Waste Management failed to comply with the requirements of the state of Hawaii’s NPDES stormwater general permit on at least three occasions. These violations were associated with storm events in December 2010 and January 2011.

The order cites failure to:

* prevent runoff of surface water that had come into contact with waste,
* control erosion to prevent loss of landfill cover or washout of refuse slopes,
* properly manage leachate, and
* retain and remove silt from surface water before it was discharged from the site.

The order requires completion of a project to completely separate stormwater generated outside of the landfill from stormwater generated at the landfill. Furthermore, the order requires submission to EPA for review and approval a study to evaluate the adequacy of the landfill’s stormwater detention basin pond. It also requires an enhanced stormwater monitoring plan. Additionally, the order requires monthly monitoring reports to be submitted.

Waste Management

Waste Management operates the landfill for the City and County of Honolulu, a facility integral to managing the region’s waste disposal needs. In December 2010 and January 2011, heavy rains caused significant flooding at the landfill. As a result, a situation escalated quickly and demanded urgent attention.

Consequently, stormwater flooded a section of the landfill, which allowed waste to escape into the surrounding environment. This unfortunate incident led to beach contamination and closures, impacting local wildlife and community access to recreational areas.

In response to this environmental crisis, the EPA issued an order to Waste Management in January, mandating stringent compliance measures aimed at addressing the pressing concerns caused by the contamination. This order required immediate response and cleanup actions to mitigate the effects of the contamination, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. As a result, Waste Management is now tasked with implementing comprehensive strategies to eradicate hazardous substances from affected areas, ensuring the safety and health of the local community. Additionally, the EPA has scheduled regular assessments to monitor progress and ensure that all prescribed measures are being adhered to diligently, reinforcing the importance of accountability in environmental protection efforts.

Waste Management acted swiftly and efficiently. They completed the necessary actions to stabilize the landfill’s structure and enhance stormwater controls. Moreover, they implemented strategies aimed at preventing future incidents. This reinforced their commitment to environmental stewardship and public safety.

For more information visit: http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/npdes/compliance.html

Follow the U.S. EPA’s Pacific Southwest region on Twitter: http://twitter.com/EPAregion9 

and join the LinkedIn group:http://www.linkedin.com/e/vgh/1823773/