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U.S. Military Completes Fuel Draining at Red Hill Facility After Controversial 2021 Leak
The "poisoning of Pearl Harbor" is thought to have exposed tens of thousands of people to poisoning
The U.S. military has announced the completion of the fuel draining process at the Red Hill underground fuel tank complex in Hawaii, following a 2021 incident where jet fuel leaked into pearl harbor drinking water, affecting thousands. Joint Task Force Red Hill concluded the defueling operation after months of repairs to prevent further leaks, extracting 104 million gallons of fuel from the tanks. Responsibility for the facility is set to be transferred to Navy Closure Task Force-Red Hill, led by Rear Adm. Stephen D. Barnett, tasked with decommissioning the tanks and restoring the environment.
Vice Adm. John Wade, commander of the task force overseeing the defueling, emphasized the importance of the mission in a recorded video statement, underscoring Rear Adm. Barnett’s understanding of the task’s magnitude. The primary objective of the new task force is to close the facility safely and swiftly, ensuring clean water for the area and conducting long-term environmental remediation efforts.
The decision to drain the tanks came in response to public outcry and concerns over the threat posed to Honolulu’s water supply following the 2021 spill. Situated above an aquifer supplying water to 400,000 people in urban Honolulu, including Waikiki and downtown, the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility comprises 20 tanks, each equivalent in height to a 25-story building and capable of holding 12.5 million gallons of fuel.
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An Investigation by the Navy attributed the spill to a series of errors, leading to thousands of gallons of fuel seeping into the water system serving Pearl Harbor naval base and surrounding areas. Symptoms reported by water users included nausea, vomiting, and skin rashes. While three retired military officers were reprimanded for their roles in the incident, no suspensions or terminations were issued.
In response to the spill, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply halted pumping water from the aquifer beneath the fuel tanks, seeking alternative water sources. However, the Pearl Harbor aquifer, which provided approximately 20% of the city’s water, remains a critical resource. Efforts to mitigate the environmental impact and ensure the safety of the water supply continue as the Navy works towards permanent decommissioning and cleanup of the Red Hill facility.
