On Tuesday, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) initiated a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Navy, seeking over $1 billion following the military’s release of petroleum and other hazardous substances into Oʻahu, the sole source of drinking water for Hawaii.
The incident involved a leak of 27,000 gallons of toxic jet fuel stored within extensive underground tunnels, contaminating the aquifer near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and affecting 93,000 residents living in proximity to the Red Hill, the military’s strategic fuel storage site.
The Navy admitted responsibility for the environmental and public health crisis provoked by the jet fuel leak in November 2021. However, the board claims that the Navy has declined to accept accountability for the $1.2 billion in costs the BWS will face due to the Navy’s contaminant discharges.
Thousands of gallons of jet fuel leaked into Oahu residents’ water supply. (Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images)
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.
