Waikiki Bypass Pipe Ready for Action

The wastewater bypass pipe in Waikiki, Hawaii, that was designed to prevent sewage spills is now hooked up and ready for use.

The pipe was created in response to a sewage spill in March that released 48 million gallons of sewage into the Ala Wai Canal due to a sewer line break. It was the largest spill in Oahu ever.

The bypass pipe project was launched three months ago by the Beachwalk Wastewater Emergency Bypass Team (BWEB).

Mayor Mufi Hannemann announced the project on May 18th. The Bypass team successfully met the deadlines set by the mayor.

The 5,000 foot long wastewater pipe in the Ala Wai Canal starts in Waikiki and ends near Ala Moana Beach Park. The pipe is hooked up to temporary pumps along both sides of the canal. According to the Hawaii Reporter, the pipe is able to intercept and divert wastewater flows from the existing pump station to the new bypass line.

The completion of the pipe allows contractors to focus on phase two of the project to be completed by the end of the year. The plan is to install a new sewer pipe below the Ala Wai Canal and Kaiolu street in Waikiki with a micro tunneling machine.

The BWEB has raised $17,500 toward their goal of $23,000 to fund the project.

Source: Hawaii Reporter