While Navy Evades Discussion On TPH Detections and Tank Cleanup, EPA Confirms the CRI Will No Longer be Disbanded
by Madison Owens, Chapter Organizer, Rosalie Luo, Volunteer, and Wayne Tanaka, Chapter Director | Reading time: 3 minutes
The 10th Community Representation Initiative (CRI) meeting took place on July 18, 2024, at the Kapilina Beach Homes Community Center, a former military housing complex still connected to the Navy's water lines. Despite persistent contamination issues and the community's ongoing struggle for clean water, the Navy once again failed to attend the CRI.
However, representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Board of Water Supply were present. Amy Miller, Director of the EPA's Region 9 Office, informed the community that the CRI would not be disbanded, although the EPA may amend the Administrative Order on Consent with new “ground rules” to allow the Navy to attend only one quarterly meeting with the CRI (rather than the two currently required). Additionally, the ground rules mandate the use of an EPA facilitator at CRI meetings, and until the ground rules are implemented, the Navy will not be required to attend.
The EPA then informed the community of four Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) detections that have arisen under the Extended Drinking Water Monitoring Plan that began in April 2024. The first detection, at a hydrant, was attributed by the Navy to isopropyl alcohol contamination used as a disinfectant. The second detection, also from a hydrant sample, was linked by the Navy to an lubricating oil, not associated with JP5 or petroleum. The third detection, at a residence in Zone D2 (including Hickam, Hale Na Koa, Officer Field Area, and Onizuka Village), showed oil-range TPH and was again attributed to lubricating oil unrelated to JP5. The fourth detection occurred on July 11 at a residence in Zone D3 (Earhart Village), with detailed analysis still ongoing. Since the Navy is responsible for collecting all the EPA’s samples and split-samples, the EPA is looking into auditing the Navy’s sampling procedure by sending experts to ensure their consistency with standards for target analytes.
Many community members testified to express their frustration and distrust toward the Navy, highlighting issues such as the Navy’s failure to notify current and incoming residents of contamination, the ongoing lack of access to clean water, and the challenges faced by those who continue to provide water to affected families using their own funds.
For more information on the meeting, please watch the recording here. If you are interested in being a part of the CRI or for additional details, please visit the CRI website. The application to join the CRI is due on August 12, 2024.
Red Hill Closure Update
This month, the Navy Closure Task Force completed the initial venting, or degassing phase, and sludge removal on tanks 7 and 8. Navy contractors completed initial venting with no reported increases of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) above 1 part per million by volume (ppmv) in the air quality around the facility (the regulatory standard limit is 38 ppmv). The Navy reported air quality measurements to the public via the NCTF-RH app and website. Sludge removal for tank 8 was completed on June 28, and tank 7 was completed on July 8. From both tanks, approximately 37 gallons of sludge was removed. Personnel were lowered into the tanks, where they manually shoveled the sludge into drums. Once removed, the drums were sealed and taken off-island to a waste facility on the continent. The NCTF-RH team also submitted the Supplement 3 closure plan to regulators (EPA and DOH). NCTF will host their next Open House at the Moanalua Community Center on Aug. 21, from 5-7 pm.