By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Pew PatriotsPew PatriotsPew Patriots
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Reading: Honolulu water board sues Navy for $1.2B over fuel leak that contaminated drinking water
Share
Font ResizerAa
Pew PatriotsPew Patriots
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Search
  • Home
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
Honolulu water board sues Navy for .2B over fuel leak that contaminated drinking water
News

Honolulu water board sues Navy for $1.2B over fuel leak that contaminated drinking water

Jimmie Dempsey
Last updated: July 2, 2025 10:19 pm
Jimmie Dempsey Published July 2, 2025
Share
SHARE

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) on Tuesday filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Navy, seeking more than $1 billion after the military branch released petroleum and other hazardous chemicals into Oʻahu, Hawaii’s sole source of drinking water.

During the incident, 27,000 gallons of toxic jet fuel stored in miles of underground tunnels leaked into the aquifer near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, affecting 93,000 people living near the military’s strategic fuel storage facility, Red Hill.

The Navy acknowledged responsibility for the environmental and human health crisis caused by the November 2021 jet fuel release, though the board alleges it has refused to accept responsibility for the $1.2 billion the BWS will incur to respond to the Navy’s contaminant releases.

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION LAUNCHES $10M HEALTH STUDY FOR EAST PALESTINE RESIDENTS AFTER TOXIC SPILL

Residents served by the Navy’s water system allegedly suffered serious injuries from the incident, and the BWS claimed its ability to provide clean, safe, dependable water to Oʻahu residents continues to be severely impacted, according to a statement from BWS.

Fox News Digital previously reported that some residents continue to suffer long-term symptoms, including Parkinson’s disease and seizures.

To protect against contamination of its own water sources following the spill, BWS shut down its Hālawa Shaft and the ʻAiea and Hālawa wells. 

It also implemented enhanced water quality testing, started planning for additional groundwater monitoring wells, and shifted to alternate water sources to make up for lost water supplies.

Timeline of key Red Hill fuel spill events.

LIV GOLF STAR PHIL MICKELSON ADDS HIS REACTION TO DEEPENING SEWAGE CRISIS IN SAN DIEGO

The BWS, a semi-autonomous agency of the City and County of Honolulu, estimates the total cost of restoration, remediation and mitigation efforts at $1.2 billion.  

Board members said they “have a fiduciary responsibility to minimize the burden of these costs to the Oʻahu ratepayers,” and will hold the Navy accountable for its failure to prevent or appropriately respond to the contaminant releases, according to a statement.

The BWS told Fox News Digital the suit comes after an administrative Federal Tort Claims Act claim filed in October 2023 was denied by the Navy on Jan. 10 of this year. 

The statute of limitations for filing the complaint ends on July 10.

A warning sign posted at one of the entrance gates to Red Hill in Honolulu, HI on December 11, 2021.

EPA CHIEF ZELDIN LAUNCHES TALKS WITH MEXICO TO END SEWAGE HITTING SAN DIEGO, NAVY SEALS: ‘OUT OF PATIENCE’

“This is not an issue that will be solved quickly or cheaply,” said BWS manager and chief engineer Ernest Lau. “Every action must be taken to protect the purity of Oʻahu’s water, and it is only right that the Navy assume financial responsibility for its actions that put water purity and safety of everyone on Oʻahu at risk and caused harm to the BWS.”

BWS board chair Nāʻālehu Anthony, added litigation was the board’s “last resort.”

“Litigation was our last resort and comes after months of futile negotiation with the Navy, an attempt to recover costs administratively under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) and the Navy’s refusal to pay for any of the costs incurred by BWS, even while the Navy has publicly acknowledged its responsibility for this disaster and subsequent contaminant releases,” Anthony said. “Our steadfast commitment to the protection of the purity of Oʻahu’s water resources, and our obligation to our ratepayers for responsible fiscal management compelled us to take this action.”

As the largest water utility in Hawaii, the BWS serves about 1 million customers on O’ahu.

In May, a federal judge awarded nearly $700,000 to more than a dozen families who claimed they got sick after the fuel leaked into the Navy drinking water system, according to a report from the Associated Press. More than 7,500 other military family members have pending lawsuits.

The Navy did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Fox News’ Liz Friden, Jennifer Griffin, Emma Goldkopf, and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read the full article here

You Might Also Like

Jack Hoffman, Nebraska superfan who went viral for spring game TD, dead at 19 after brain cancer battle

Man in car calls his wife ‘worst backseat driver,’ sparking social media debate

Runaway zebra’s wild adventure comes to an end after dramatic helicopter rescue

Two Alzheimer’s drugs help patients live independently at home for longer periods

Michigan baseball player apologizes after drug-inspired celebration: ‘An immature decision’

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

We Recommend
July Fourth boaters warned about deadly waterfront danger with lifesaving summer tips
News

July Fourth boaters warned about deadly waterfront danger with lifesaving summer tips

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey July 3, 2025
Congressional intern gunned down in DC street shooting wasn’t intended target: police
Trump calls out Republican holdouts as House procedural vote on megabill remains open: ‘Costing you votes!’
Diego Luna scores twice as USMNT secures spot in Gold Cup final
At least 2 dead, 43 missing after ferry sinks near Bali
CBS anchor claims Paramount settlement with Trump poses ‘new obstacles’ for journalists at the network
Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani to captain star-studded MLB All-Star lineups after starters are revealed
News

Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani to captain star-studded MLB All-Star lineups after starters are revealed

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey July 3, 2025
Court approves settlement after North Carolina student suspended for ‘illegal aliens’ comment
News

Court approves settlement after North Carolina student suspended for ‘illegal aliens’ comment

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey July 3, 2025
New Tennessee law will suspend driver’s license of teens found guilty of bullying
News

New Tennessee law will suspend driver’s license of teens found guilty of bullying

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey July 3, 2025
Pew Patriots
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
  • Guns and Gear
2024 © Pew Patriots. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?