QUICK LINKS: PROTECT OAHU WATERRED HILL UPDATES > EPA Public Hearing

Oahu Residents Urged to Attend EPA's Public Hearing
January 18 & 19, 2023, at Oahu Veteran's Council and Center 


The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to issue an administrative Consent Order requiring the United States Navy and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to take steps to defuel and close the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. The order also contains specific actions to operate and maintain the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) drinking water system.

The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) does not support the proposed EPA order because it:

  • does not contain clear deadlines for completing the work;​
  • does not contain strict penalties for noncompliance;
  • ​​lacks opportunities for stakeholder and public participation;
  • does not contain actions to address the latest release of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) concentrate containing per - and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); 
  • may conflict with existing Hawaii Department of Health's (DOH) Emergency Order and enforcement actions and the existing Administrative Order on Consent from 2015. DOH is not part of this proposed Consent Order; and
  • is premature given that the full extent of the damages to the environment including our water resources-are unknown, and 104 million gallons of jet fuel and diesel is still stored at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility over our aquifer.

EPA will hold in-person public meetings on January 18th and January 19th. Please go to the following websites: epa.gov/red-hill, boardofwatersupply.com, or protectoahuwater.org for more details.

The community is encouraged to attend EPA's public meeting and submit written comments. The deadline for submitting comments is February 6, 2023. A complete copy of the 2023 EPA Consent Order and supporting documents can be found here: https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-R09-RCRA-2022-0970-0001.

If you have any questions, contact the BWS Communications Office at (808) 748-5041 or contactus@hbws.org.

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