Navy Halts Hawaii Fuel Tank Operations During Investigation

By: The Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — The Navy will halt operations at fuel storage tanks above a Hawaii aquifer until its own investigation into how petroleum got into tap water is finished.

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro says in a memo that corrective actions will be taken as quickly as possible The Navy had already said it was suspending use of the massive World War II-era fuel storage complex near Pearl Harbor following days of complaints that tap water smells like fuel and has sickened some people.

The Navy is contesting a state order demanding the suspension remain in effect until independent evaluators can ensure appropriate actions are taken to protect drinking water.