What to expect?

[Justleesa]

As you might have heard in the news we have had some big time sewage problems due to our recent rains. Right now the spill count is officially near the 50 million gallon mark (unofficially it is said to be closer to a billion gallons).

My Husband says that the vis is poor and that a silt layer covers a lot of stuff. The turtles (6 or more), that are usually always at the one wreck, are gone.

My friend lives up on the mountain and has a great view of the island. She says that we have a brown ring around us.

As time goes on what kind of impact will this filth have on our reefs and critters?

[drdiver]

Generally coral suffers from excess nutrient and suspended solids loading as it 1) increases algae growth and 2)can block sunlight and affect coral feeding. The key is how long the loading will persist and how well and fast ocean wind and currents will disperse and dilute it. Much of that "brown ring" may be runoff which will not have the nutrient loading of sewage, but will have a lot of particulates. Short term the fish will probably handle this well. Invertebrates, perhaps not so well, particularly the fixed ones. You've had something like 45 days of rain now haven't you?

[Justleesa]

yes, and counting :( Yesterday looked like it was going to be a nice day...everyone was wearing their summer cloths....we wanted to drive over the Pali to see how green everything is and got caught in a killer thunderstorm. Mudslides, cars stuck in GIANT puddles (mini lakes). A car ahead of me hit a puddle and it hit our car...I was blinded and had to stop on the middle of the highway.

[Justleesa]

On the news this morning they were talking about the bacteria count. Normal count is 7, right now Magic Island ( beach next to Waikiki) has 170. :(

[drdiver]

Hmmmmmmm. Not sure what they mean by that. Probably coliform count indicating fecal (sewage) pollution. Runoff from natural sources can also raise coliform count as it is not really an accurate indicator of human fecal pollution.

[Justleesa]

= the water is very dirty and not healthy to swim in, not allowed either.

[Cold_H2O]

I hope the currents carry it off quickly before any real damage can be done.

[drdiver]

Well, that's a prudent precaution as you can have a variety of viruses that can be infectious in such water. As Cold says, we can only hope that it will all disipate soon and things will be safe again.

[pennypue]

Lisa, I hate to see you dry for so long. How about some pics of some kids, flowers or animals. (ok, so this is what I'd like.....I'm selfish that way)

[Justleesa]

it was on the news yesterday, a young man fell into the dirty harbor and is now dying....very sad.

http://www.khon.com/khon/displayStory.cfm?storyID=12566

Penny, I'll finish working on some new pictures and post them for you ;)

[pennypue]

it was on the news yesterday....very sad.

http://www.khon.com/khon/displayStory.cfm?storyID=12566

Penny, I'll finish working on some new pictures and post them for you ;):woohoo:

Did I mention I love you, Lisa??:love:

[Justleesa]

:blush:

[Dee]

That is so sad, Lisa. Guess all we can do is hope nature takes over and cleans it up. You and Roger be careful!

[Justleesa]

Thanks Dee..Roger just came back before he left for the charter, filled a bottle with bleach, he is going to fill it in the water's water tank to shower himself after the dives....He is also now wearing gloves so he won't scratch himself...just added protection.

[Cold_H2O]

Roger is still diving? That can't be good. I hope he is able to stay healthy.

Make sure he takes his vitamins, gets plenty of rest and eats very healthy.
Now I am worried. Will be thinking about him daily.

[Justleesa]

Last week, due to people not signing up for diving, he was able to stay home for 4 days....but the sad part is, if you wanna eat, ya gotta. :(

Thanks for your worry, much appriciated.

[Cold_H2O]

Yes ~ that does make things tough.
Eating is a good thing to do on a regular basis.

He is in my thoughts and prayers. Hoping he stays healthy.

[pennypue]

Lisa, is it safer a little further away from the island? Like where the water gets deeper?

I'm with Cold, I'm worried, till the brown ooze passes I'll be thinking of him. And you too!

[Justleesa]

well they don't offically test that far out...so we just have to hope that it is safer. Roger has been diving since it happened and seems ok..he was on penicillin though, that surely helped.