Video

Video by JoAnna Delfin

Granular Activated Carbon Filters at the Red Hill Facility

Commander Navy Region Hawaii

June 12, 2023 | 0:19

A granular activated carbon filtration system filters water drawn from the Red Hill Shaft before pumping the clean and safe water into Halawa Stream. In response to feedback from the Hawaii community, the Navy is conducting a flow optimization study at the Red Hill Shaft to determine if the system can be pumped at a reduced usage while still meeting the capture zone requirements identified in the State of Hawaii’s Emergency Order of May 2022. Prior to April 2022, the Red Hill Shaft pumped up to 5 million gallons of water per day, which was then pumped through granular activated carbon filters. Coordinating with DOH, the Navy reduced pumping to 3 million gallons of water per day on May 1, and then to 1.8 million gallons a day on May 23. The water is tested on site, both before and after it passes through the filters, and then is pumped into Halawa Stream; the DOH approved a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit Jan. 27, 2022, for these operations. (U.S. Navy photo by JoAnna Delfin)