Hawaii Health Officials Review Drinking Water Standards After Red Hill Fuel Crisis

TL;DR - Under Hawaii safety limits that were in place five years ago, the levels of diesel contaminants that were detected in the Red Hill well in September would’ve raised a red flag. 

Levels of diesel-range hydrocarbons at 300 parts per billion would have been nearly double the Hawaii health department’s safety threshold.

But in 2017, the Hawaii health department increased its “environmental action level” for diesel in drinking water from 160 parts per billion to 400 parts per billion, despite objections from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply.

February 4, 2022: Hawaii Health Officials Review Drinking Water Standards After Red Hill Fuel Crisis, Honolulu Civil Beat