The city recently asked 62 community, private and environmental groups to monitor the problem in the watershed for signs of improvement or deterioration. The information will help the city target problems. People are causing it. Public education needs to be addressed. We know there's a problem out there.
Polluted runoff is the leading cause of coastal water pollution throughout the United States.
Rather than targeting individual businesses, the government targets a region, such as the Honolulu watershed. The EPA asked the city to take the lead on the nonpoint pollution problem as part of the permitting process for its two wastewater treatment plants. We're opening ourselves up to cooperation and exchange of information. The community can make a tremendous impact. Reaction from the 62 groups, ranging from University of Hawaii researchers and politicians to state and federal workers and environmentalists, has been guardedly optimistic.