Wastewater spills 'have decreased' in Hawaii

Incidents of wastewater spills have fallen for the second consecutive year in Hawaii, it has been reported.

The latest data from the city and county of Honolulu's department of environmental services (ENV) shows that wastewater spills in 2008 fell by 20.8 per cent compared to the previous year.

In 2008, 117 wastewater spills were registered with the ENV, a figure down from 144 in 2007, the statistics show.

Mufi Hannemann, mayor of Honolulu, stated: "There's no doubt our city’s sewer system is in better shape today than it was four years ago, and we’ll continue to do the work necessary to make more improvements to ensure we leave this place better than we found it."

The department's findings also show that the majority of wastewater spills in Honolulu were caused by pipes breaking, grease entering drains, wet weather and debris.

These figures come after a wastewater spillage marred the Pearl Harbour area this week, although human health is not thought to be at risk as a result, related the Hawaii Reporter.