Honolulu Water Supply Committee Suing US Navy Over Fuel Leak

The Honolulu Water Supply Committee (BWS) is taking legal action against the US Navy, claiming responsibility for jet fuel leaks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility that have contaminated water sources affecting thousands of residents in Hawaii.

Back in November 2021, a significant leak of 20,000 gallons of fuel occurred due to ruptured pipes, which led to pollution entering the aquifers supplying water to over 400,000 residents in Honolulu. The BWS, in its lawsuit filed against the Navy, asserts that the military branch has been aware of its liability for these issues for at least a decade.

“This is not a problem that can be resolved quickly or cheaply,” expressed Ernestrau, the BWS Manager and Chief Engineer, highlighting the urgency of the situation. “Every action must be taken to protect the purity of Oahu’s water. It’s only right for the Navy to take financial responsibility for the actions that have put the safety and purity of our water at risk, affecting everyone on Oahu,” he added.

The issues began when the Navy denied the BWS claims earlier this month, prompting this lawsuit. There has been rising concern among local residents about the safety of their water supply since the leaks, pushing the Navy to acknowledge its responsibility for managing the leak and to plan for the discharge of fuel from its tanks by March 2022.

BWS claims that despite the Navy’s assurances that the water was safe, the leaks had already tainted the reservoir.

“The lawsuit was our last resort. After months of unproductive negotiations and attempts to recover costs under the Federal Tort Claims Act, it became clear that the Navy needed to take accountability for this situation,” stated a representative.

When contacted for comment, the Navy referred the inquiry to the Department of Justice, which has yet to respond.