Health officials Wednesday afternoon issued a high bacteria count advisory for waters in Kailua Bay.
Health officials Wednesday afternoon issued a high bacteria count advisory for waters in Kailua Bay.
The advisory was issued because of high levels of enterococci found in a sampling of water from the north side of Kailua Pier off Kamakahonu Beach, the Department of Health’s Clean Water Branch reported.
Levels of 164 per 100 mL were detected during routine beach monitoring. The EPA sets the threshold for enterococci at 130 enterococci per 100 mL.
“Swimming at beaches with pollution in the water may make you ill,” the advisory reads.
Signage was posted. The advisory will remain in effect until water sample results no longer exceed the threshold level, according to the department.
Enterococci are indicators of the presence of fecal material in water and, therefore, of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, according to the EPA.
