Heavy rains result in high bacteria levels at 8 beaches, streams

Eight of 18 sites tested for water quality monthly were found with high bacteria amounts in May.

A Kona low storm has brought rain and flood advisories to the entire state. The bacteria, also known as enterococcus, is measured by the Surfrider Foundation Kaua‘i chapter at various streams and beaches on the island. The following sites exceeded the required bacteria levels at MPN/100mL:

• Hanalei River at Weke Rd. 307.6mL
• Hanamāʻulu Stream Mouth 816.4mL
• Kalihiwai Surf 191.8mL
• Moloa’a Stream mouth 461.1mL
• Nāwiliwili Stream 2,419.6mL
• Waikomo Stream – Kōloa Landing 250mL
• Wailua River mouth 686.7mL
• Wainiha Stream mouth 1,553mL

Click here for the full list of locations tested.

According to the nonprofit, they reiterate the importance of never swimming or surfing 24 to 48 hours after a major rain because of sewage and/or fecal matter runoff.

“This data is extremely important, as it has led the Hawai‘i Department of Health to list as polluted many sites that they do not have the capability to sample,” officials from the chapter stated.

Surfrider Foundation revealed that most of the Kaua‘i streams are polluted with human wastes from cesspools.