HONOLULU — Ewa Beach residents said a sewage line break in their neighborhood has created a health hazard because it wasn’t fixed promptly.
Resident John Mazzulla said he first noticed sewage overflowing onto a sidewalk on Jan. 29, but the problem has yet to be fixed completely, Hawaii News Now reported Saturday.
Mazzulla said the sight and smell are intolerable.
“You can’t even stand here, there are so many flies,” he said.
Mazzulla said the city told him it couldn’t fix the line because it’s on private property. But a city spokesman said officials decided to get involved anyway because of the emergency.
City crews cleaned up some of the mess, but left it up to the association and state health department to fully handle the matter.
The Ocean Pointe Residential Community Association said the line will be fixed.
“Apparently there’s a discrepancy on whether it’s dedicated to the city or still privately maintained,” said Kevin Rathbun, board of directors president for the Ocean Pointe Residential Community Association.
Rathbun said he became aware of the spill Saturday.
He said he acknowledges there might have been a breakdown in communication, but promised residents the problem will be fixed.
“I think this is an unfortunate situation that needs to be cleaned up because it’s an environmental issue and I want to get that addressed immediately,” Rathbun said. “Whatever it’s going to take, we’re going to clean up this mess today.”
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Information from: KGMB-TV, http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/
