Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Uses And Abuses Of Wastewater Injection Wells In Hawaii, F. L. Peterson, June Ann Oberdorfer

June Ann Oberdorfer

During the past two decades in Hawaii, more than 500 injection wells for the disposal of domestic sewage wastewater have been constructed and operated. Thus far, contamination of potable groundwater supplies has not been a problem. Many of the injection wells, however, have not performed as designed, and aquifer clogging and reduced injection capacity have produced numerous well failures resulting in public health, legal, and financial problems. Factors most commonly responsible for the well problems have been unfavorable hydrogeology, underdesign of injection well capacity, poor effluent quality, and lack of injection well maintenance. Detailed study of clogging mechanisms in the …