Trace levels of selenium in Maui water not a health risk, officials say | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
COURTESY HAWAII DOHThis map shows the service area of Makawao Water System, including excluded areas in today’s notice of trace amounts of selenium detected in the system’s water. Maui County officials say. . .
COURTESY HAWAII DOHThis map shows the service area of Makawao Water System, including excluded areas in today’s notice of trace amounts of selenium detected in the system’s water. Maui County officials say trace levels of selenium were recently detected for the first time in its Makawao water system. The selenium was detected during routine water quality testing in a sample collected on May 29, according to Maui Department of Water Supply officials. Another sample was collected on June 19 for follow-up testing, with confirmed selenium levels ranging from 3. 7 to 4. 9 micrograms per liter. Those levels are well below the maximum contaminant level for selenium in drinking water, which is 50 migrograms per liter. DWS officials notified the Hawaii Department of Health about the findings. “The amount of selenium detected is extremely small — about four parts per billion, or roughly four drops in 1 billion drops of water,” DWS Director John Stufflebean said in a news release. Department of Health officials said the detected levels are unlikely to pose a public health risk. Selenium is a naturally occurring mineral element found in most rocks and soils, and small amounts can enter drinking water sources through the erosion of natural mineral deposits, health officials said. Don't miss out on what's happening!Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser's and Google'sTerms of ServiceandPrivacy Policy. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. DWS said it would continue monitoring the Makawao water system to remain in compliance with federal and state drinking water standards. ———For more information, contact DWS at (808) 270-7550.