Post #224411 by hodadhank on Sat, Apr 1, 2006 10:46 AM

HONOLULU (March 29) - Millions of gallons of raw sewage have gushed into a canal since a major sewer line ruptured, forcing officials to monitor bacteria levels around Hawaii's most popular beaches.

As of late Tuesday, well over 10 million gallons of untreated wastewater had been diverted into the Ala Wai Canal, said Eric Takamura, director of the city Department of Environmental Services. The canal flows into the Pacific Ocean between Waikiki and Ala Moana beaches, which remained open.

The 42-inch sewer main, installed in 1964, cracked open early Friday after heavy rain flooded the aging sewer system. City crews have been working 24 hours a day to repair the break but have been hampered by underground utilities.

"For the most part, we've been pretty lucky and the current has been taking the sewage straight out to sea," said state Health Department spokesman Kurt Tsue. "But that could change."

Environmentalists worry about damage to the fragile coral reef and other marine life in the area.

"What's happening today is a result of a long-term history of poor design or mismanagement," said Melody Heidel of the Sierra Club, which filed a lawsuit in 2004 alleging deficiencies in the city's wastewater system.

The main was scheduled to be replaced next year at a cost of $30 million.