WRRC Unedited Project Reports

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10125/29492

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Assessing the Impact of the Kapahulu Storm Drain System on the Quality of Water at Kuhio Beach and the Health of the Swimmers Using the Beach
(Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1994-03) Fujioka, Roger S.; Morens, David M
The primary goal of this study was to determine the concentrations of several types of fecal bacteria (fecal coliform, E. coli, enterococci, C. perfringens) in the Kapahulu storm drain system and its impact on the quality of water in Kuhio Beach. Another major goal of this study was to simultaneously conduct a pilot epidemiological study to determine whether there was a measurable increase in the illness rate of swimmers at the beach as the concentrations of indicator bacteria in the water increased. Additional goals to this study included the determination of the sources of indicator bacteria in the storm drain and to analyze the sediment and water samples from the storm drain for toxicity as well as for the presence of specific toxic chemicals using a new enzyme-immunoassay test.
University of Hawaii at Manoa Water Sustainability Studies: UH Manoa Campus In-Building Water Conservation Study
(Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2011) Babcock, Roger Jr.
A water fixture survey was conducted on the University of Hawaii Manoa (UHM) campus in which the number of toilets, urinals, faucets, and showerheads in each building were counted. The total number of fixtures and the number of retrofittable fixture units were documented in the prioritization report of surveyed water fixtures prepared by Honeywell DMC Services, LLC in 2004. According to the prioritization report, only 4,830 water fixtures out of the 7,632 surveyed can technically and economically be retrofitted. The 4,830 retrofittable fixtures include 2,149 toilets, 265 urinals, 1,614 faucets, and 802 showerheads. Toilets and showerheads appear to constitute the greatest retrofit opportunity. Many of the urinals on the UHM campus were previously retrofitted with low-flow flush systems. A majority of the faucets on campus would require a relatively expensive entire system replacement leading to an un-economical, excessive payback period.
University of Hawaii at Manoa Water Sustainability Studies: UH Manoa Campus Water Use Study
(Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2011) Babcock, Roger Jr.
The purpose of this report is to evaluate the water use at UH Manoa by type/category of use in order to facilitate conservation efforts, and to provide an evaluation of alternative potential non-potable supplies to meet non-potable demands. The three major categories are In-Building (potable), Landscape Irrigation (non-potable), and AC/Chillers (non-potable). These values are not readily available from UH Manoa or the BWS, so a study with calculations was required.
Intensive Training Program for Wastewater Operators in Hawaii Designed to Standardize Professional Outcomes
(Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2013-05) Young, Mathew; Babcock, Roger Jr.
The success of wastewater treatment plants is highly dependent on the knowledge, skills, and diligence of the licensed operators who work there. It is essential that operators acquire the knowledge needed to properly operate a wastewater treatment plant through a combination of classroom and on-the-job (OJT) types of training which are not just one-time but continuous throughout the career. High retirement expectations, coupled with low certification exam passing rates, have raised significant concerns regarding the sustainability of the wastewater operator profession as a whole. Therefore, a new wastewater operator training program in Hawaii is needed to address this issue. For this study, five different wastewater operator certification and training programs from around the United States were evaluated to serve as a comparative basis for creating a training program in Hawaii. The training programs for New Jersey, Georgia, New York, Texas, and California were examined. In this paper, wastewater operator training Boot Camp Programs have been created for the City and County of Honolulu (CCH), to provide a means of standardizing training for the profession of wastewater operators.
Grey's Beach Infauna Study of Source Dredge Sand Off Waikiki
(Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2008-08) Bailey-Brock, Julie H.; Krause, Emily R.
A diverse assemblage of infaunal polychaetes and invertebrates was collected in three replicate sand samples from three locations off Grey’s Beach, Waikīkī, O’ahu, Hawai’i. Infauna were extracted over 0.5 mm and 0.25 mm sieves. Specimens from the 0.5 mm fraction were identified and enumerated while those from the 0.25 fraction were qualitatively assessed. Nematodes were the most numerous specimens collected, followed by oligochaetes and harpacticoid copepods. Polychaetes ranked fourth in abundance followed by lesser abundances of thirteen other taxa. The 45 polychaetes were assigned to 15 taxa. The outside station had the highest taxonomic richness compared to both stations within the source-sand area. Polychaetes were predominantly motile, free-living taxa with an omnivorous feeding mode. The second-most-collected taxa were detritivores. Tube-dwelling species were not collected in these samples. Reproduction was evident in only two polychaete individuals of different species. None of the invertebrates collected were unusual or rare in their distribution in shallow Hawaiian sands.
Benthic Infaunal Communities Adjacent to the Sewage Outfalls at Agana and Northern District, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, 2005-2007
(Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2007-07) Bailey-Brock, Julie H.; Krause, Emily R.
Taxa richness and abundance are given for benthic infauna collected from sediments adjacent to ocean outfalls of the Northern District and Agana (Hagatna) Sewage Treatment Plants, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands. This addresses U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements of 301(h) waiver permits for baseline data prior to the construction of two new outfalls to replace those currently in operation. Living infauna and sediment-surface-dwelling epifauna were collected with a remote sampler from stations off the Agana and Northern District outfalls. Samplings were done in August 2005, March 2006, and January 2007 at depths of 40 to 92 m. A total of 21,058 invertebrates were collected from both outfall areas over the three sampling years. Polychaetes were the most diverse and abundant component in the three sets of samples, with 9,068 individuals belonging to 229 taxa. Overall, polychaetes were more abundant off Northern District (5,489 individuals) than off Agana (3,579 individuals). Thirty-nine taxa (totaling 11,990 individuals) of other invertebrates were recorded: Anthozoa, Acari, Bryozoa, Cephalochordata, Chaetognatha, Crustacea (9 taxa), Echinodermata (4 taxa), Hemichordata, Hydrozoa, Insecta, Kinorhyncha, Mollusca (5 taxa), Nematoda, Nemertea, Oligochaeta, Phoronida, Platyhelminthes, Porifera, Priapula, Pycnogonida, Sipuncula, Urochordata, and Osteichthyes (a vertebrate chordate). Nematodes were abundant at both sites in the three samplings (4,605 individuals), but the Northern District locality had twice the number (3,053 individuals) of the Agana locality (1,552 individuals). Patterns of polychaete adundance and taxa richness were similar at both sites. Comparing the results of the three samplings revealed that both sites have diverse infaunal communities and that many species are common to both areas. Small differences between stations and samplings may be due to a number of factors, including reproductive events and the additional habitat provided to carbonate borers by coral rubble, shell fragments, and calcareous algae (Halimeda spp.).
Development and Implementation of a Water Monitoring Plan to Prepare for Criminal and Terroristic Contamination of a Drinking Water System
(Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2006-02) Fujioka, Roger S.; Asahina, Audrey Y.; Sato, Dayna M.; Yoneyama, Bunnie S.
Performance Evaluation of a CBT 0.8KF-210 Wastewater Treatment Unit
(Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2006-01) Babcock, Roger W.; Senthill, Atiim; Huang, Tieshi; Chanthawornsawat, Yingyot; Kanpirom, Sumon; Hu, Jing
Column Study of the Transport of Selected Contaminants in a Hawaii Soil Treated With Recycled Water
(Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2005-09) Snehota, Michal; Chen, Jingyu; Mohanty, Sanjay; Lichwa, Joseph; Ray, Chittaranjan
Assessing the Microbial Quality of Potable Water Sources on the Island of Hawaii
(Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2005-04) Fujioka, Roger S.; Sato, Dayna M.; Vithanage, Gayatri; Yoneyama, Bunnie S.
Schofield Barracks Wastewater Treatment Plant: Optimize Aeration, Secondary Clarifier, and Disinfection Processes
(Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2004-07) Moreland, Victor
Assessing the Treatment of Cooling Tower Water Using the Electrocel Technology System (ETS) Phase I
(Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2004-03) Fujioka, Roger; Asahina, Audrey
Assessment and Protection Plan for the Nawiliwili Watershed: Phase 2--Assessment of Contaminant Levels
(Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2003-10) El-Kadi, Aly I.; Fujioka, Roger S.; Liu, Clark C.K.$Yoshida, Kenji; Vithanage, Gayatri; Pan, Yucheng; Farmer, John
Economic Impacts of Providing Secondary Treatment at the Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant, Oahu, Hawaii
(Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2003-10) Moncur, James E.T.
Assessment and Protection Plan for the Nawiliwili Watershed: Phase 1-Validation and Documentation of Existing Environmental Data
(Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2002-10) Furness, Monika; El-Kadi, Aly I.; Fujioka, Roger S.; Moravcik, Philip S.
This report documents the findings for Phase 1 of a three-phase study that is aimed at assessing the status of the Nawiliwili Watershed on Kaua’i and developing a plan for its future protection. The objectives of this phase include utilizing sources of existing information to assess current land use in the area and identifying sources and levels of pollutants believed to be present in the watershed based on past studies relevant to the project area. Sources of information included available documents, persons who are familiar with the area, and questionnaires mailed to concerned individuals. Letters mailed to landowners and operators in the watershed area asked for their input. Information was also obtained at community meetings. The study also benefited from a local advisory committee that included government individuals and environmental groups. Data concurrently collected by the Nawiliwili Bay Watershed Council are also used here. The study concluded that little hard scientific data exist for the Nawiliwili Watershed, especially baseline data. The Hawai’i Department of Health’s current Total Maximum Daily Load (TDML) studies may provide public information that could be useful in assessing the health of the watershed. Since more baseline data are being made available, there is a chance to systematically define changes and trends in the watershed. The study identified sediment, nutrient, and bacterial-contamination problems in the Nawiliwili watershed and bay. Sediment sources include agricultural lands, construction sites, channel alteration, stream erosion, a quarry, and urban runoff. Nutrients originate from agriculture practices, golf courses, cesspools, frosted areas, urban runoff, and wastewater treatment spills. Bacterial contamination originates from cesspools, frosted areas, urban runoff, and wastewater treatment spills. There is, however, a chance that chemicals from other sources are also present. The absence of data has created great uncertainties regarding quantification and assessment of such contaminants. Only the levels of bacterial contamination are defined based on available measurements. Additional studies are needed to assess the existence of other chemicals in the watershed and their respective concentration. There is also a need to assess the various sources of bacterial contamination to define the level of contaminant caused by each. A fairly extensive list of potential sources of pollution has been identified which can provide a base for choosing sites for data collection and for sampling-scheme design. There is a need for new data to confirm these findings. The study used the state of Hawai’i’s web site on the Internet to identify relevant geographic information system maps of the area. There is a need, however, to update land-use information, which has changed in recent years. Finally, there is a need to increase or improve on the availability of public and private information about the watershed and to maintain strong ties and full cooperation between environmental groups and landowners/operators. With availability of information and full cooperation of all parties involved, a better understanding of the various processes will be gained. Developing sound approaches to remediate and protect the watershed is a goal that should be easy to reach. Scientific research can provide methods and approaches to maximize economic benefits from the watershed without negatively affecting the environmental quality.
Effects of Reclaimed Water on Two Golf Courses Located Over a Potable Aquifer in Central Oahu
(Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2001-12) Zhou, Zhijun; Babcock, Roger W.
This study set out to evaluate the biological, chemical and agronomic effects of reclaimed water for irrigation on two golf courses (KGC and LGC) located over a potable aquifer in Central Oahu. Percolate water and grass samples were collected on two soils at background sited (potable water irrigation) and pilot-scale test plots (reclaimed water irrigation) at both golf courses with different managements during the two-year pilot-scale study. The variations in chemical characteristics of percolate samples and the relationships of these changes to soil characteristics (pH, CEC, clay content, etc) and the golf course managements were determined in a general way based on the results of this study. Great differences in soil water content were observed between the soil at LGC (wet) and the soil at KGC (dry), and between the two years of the pilot-test. Fecal contamination will be caused due to reclaimed water irrigation is still in doubt after this study. Significant percolate chloride and sodium concentration increases were found at the LGC test plot but not at the KGC test plot. Nitrate leaching was found to mainly relate to fertilization, irrigation method (amount and schedule), and soil pH. All the percolate samples with nitrate concentrations higher 20 mg/l were found at background sites with high pH. High and constant irrigation rates caused a similar degree leaching at the LGC test plot using reclaimed water as that at the background sites with fertilization and historic irrigation methods. TDS in percolates is not expected to increase significantly with the reclaimed water using the irrigation method applied at the test plots of both golf courses in this study. However, whether or not harmful agronomic effects will occur cannot be determined in this study without samples from the dry season and at the soil surface layer. Suction lysimeters are good for monitoring most of chemical parameters measured and work best at high soil water content, but are not suitable for bacteria monitoring.
Decontamination of the Former Grayline Baseyard
(Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2001-06) Harada, Renee M.; El-Kadi, Aly I.; Robert, Francoise M.
Wastewater Characterization at Various Treatment Levels from Oahu Wastewater Treatment Facilities for UV Disinfection Suitability Phase II: Collimated Beam Studies
(Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2000-04) Fujioka, Roger S.; Asahina, Audrey; Moreland, Victor; Unutoa, Tuamasaga
Wastewater Characterization at Various Treatment Levels from Oahu Wastewater Treatment Facilities for UV Disinfection Suitability Phase I: Liquid Stream Studies
(Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2000-04) Fujioka, Roger S.; Asahina, Audrey; Moreland, Victor; Unutoa, Tuamasaga
Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant Disinfection Study
(Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1999-12) Fujioka, Roger S.; Asahina, Audrey; Moreland, Victor; Unutoa, Tuamasaga

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