The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services (ENV) has activated a new $11 million ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system at the Kailua Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. An official statement confirmed that the system began operating after a two-month testing period with no reported failures. The new UV technology is intended to improve water quality and support the local marine environment in the Kailua area.
Dr. Roger Babcock, Director of Environmental Services, noted that the upgrade “strengthens the protection of our shoreline in a way that is clean and efficient for Kailua's long-term future," as reported by Spectrum Local News. The plant now uses a UV disinfection system instead of traditional chlorine-based treatments. In the final treatment stage, wastewater passes through a closed channel beneath UV lamps, which eliminate harmful bacteria before the water is released into the ocean. The system is intended to improve environmental safety and water quality for the Kailua area.
The UV system also meets regulatory requirements for ENV, having been completed by the Thursday deadline. According to the Honolulu government website, the system is designed to be 50% more efficient and longer-lasting than previous models, reducing the need for maintenance and lowering operational costs. Its launch introduces a chemical-free disinfection process and is expected to support the local marine environment.
According to Spectrum Local News, the Kailua plant treats an average of 10.77 million gallons of wastewater per day. ENV provides water-quality sample data from seven stations in Kailua Bay near the plant on its Kailua Shoreline Water Quality webpage. This allows the public to monitor local water conditions and stay informed about the plant’s operations.
Residents and interested members of the public can access additional information and visual materials on the new UV disinfection system through a link provided by the Department of Environmental Services, which includes photos and b-roll footage of the water treatment technology.
