HILO, Hawaii (AP) - Residents in the Big Island community of Ookala are calling on the state to address their concerns about pollution from a large dairy farm near the village.
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports (https://bit.ly/2nRaK7m) that residents have complained about dirty water that smells like manure flowing in nearby gulches and last year’s flood that sent dairy water into the community.
Scott Enright, who heads the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, told a group of about 40 residents Tuesday the agency will use contingency funds to cover inspections and any water testing that’s needed.
Health officials say additional water sampling may be done. A recent sample found high levels of bacteria on a resident’s property downstream of the dairy.
Complaints of stream contamination from the dairy first started in 2014.
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Information from: Hawaii Tribune-Herald, https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/
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