Navy's Updated Flushing Plan

Article: https://www.cpf.navy.mil/DesktopModules/ArticleCS/Print.aspx?PortalId=52&ModuleId=13680&Article=2899958

Step Two: Residential and Non-residential Flushing

Once testing confirms the distribution system meets criteria, homes and workplaces in that zone are individually flushed. Flushing will be completed by trained teams, who will ensure consistency and thoroughness in home flushing. A representative sample of homes and buildings will be tested as well as every school, child development center, and medical facility. In all, more than 1,000 samples will be collected and analyzed.

Following strict quality control procedures and third-party review of the lab results, the IDWST will review the data. Once the team agrees that the criteria have been met and other lines of evidence have been reviewed, a recommendation to amend the health advisory will be provided to Hawaii DOH.

If results do not meet the criteria set by the IDWST, the zone will be re-flushed and re-sampled. The in-home and non-resident flushing will take approximately 25 to 27 days to complete, assuming test results don’t require re-flushing.

Step Three: Amended Health Advisory and Residents Return

Once the Hawaii DOH, EPA, U.S. Army and U.S. Navy agree that the drinking water meets the criteria for safe drinking water for that zone, the Hawaii Department of Health will conduct a final review of all the data and, if satisfied, issue an amended drinking water advisory deeming it “fit for human consumption.”

This DOH action will then trigger a number of other notifications, including, posting more information at www.navy.mil/jointbasewater that will include a link to a summary test results and a link to the complete test results for all of that zone’s flushing and sampling activities. The Navy and Army will also provide updates using social media.

Throughout the process, residents have been receiving updates from leadership and their housing companies on distribution system and residential flushing.

“We’re grateful for all federal, state and local partners, and none more so than the EPA and Hawaii Department of Health. Their diligent reviews and uncompromising testing should give everyone confidence in the process to deliver safe water and get residents back in the homes,” said Capt. Miguel Dieguez, U.S. Navy, who is on island and working in partnership with the EPA, Hawaii DOH and U.S. Army to restore safe drinking water.

For more information as it becomes available, go to: www.navy.mil/jointbasewater.