Are algae blooms and coral reef damage caused by the reclaimed water sent down the injection wells?
Studies do not prove that nutrients (including nitrogen) from these wells are the sole or most
significant source of blooms or reef damage. While independent studies detected injection well discharge in some areas of algae blooms, other sources from rainfall runoff, reef siltation, agricultural fertilizer, over-fishing and human interaction must also be analyzed as contributing causes. It is important to thoroughly consider and identify all sources so that efforts to eliminate damage are successful.

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1. Why are wastewater injection wells used?
2. What is an injection well?
3. What happens in an underground injection well?
4. How many underground wastewater injection wells are owned and operated by the County of Maui?
5. Where are the County of Maui’s injection wells located?
6. Are there privately-owned and operated wastewater injection wells in the county?
7. Does the County of Maui own or operate any wastewater injection wells in Maalaea?
8. How long has the County of Maui operated underground wastewater injection wells?
9. What happened prior to the mid-1970s before the County of Maui put in injection wells to comply with the federal Clean Water Act?
10. Are algae blooms and coral reef damage caused by the reclaimed water sent down the injection wells?
11. Who regulates (controls) wastewater injections wells?
12. Do the underground injection wells operated by the County of Maui meet standard requirements?
13. What is the quality of the water discharged into the wells?
14. How much of our wastewater is recycled?
15. Why can’t the County of Maui reuse all of the recycled water its treatment facilities produce instead of routing it through underground injection wells?
16. What are the alternatives to using injection wells?
17. If the counties are required to improve existing standards and increase the use of recycled water, are federal funds available to fulfill such mandates?
18. Would my sewer rate be affected by any improvements or infrastructure needs?