Residents of two U.S. Army communities on Oʻahu, Red Hill and Aliamanu Military Reservation, should be able to return to their homes by the end of the month, Army officials said at a town hall meeting Thursday.
The Army has been flushing its water distribution system and homes in the two communities after water was tainted by contamination from the Navy’s Red Hill fuel depot.
Residents of Red Hill may be able to return to their homes by late next week, with those at AMR being allowed back by the end of February.
Major General Joseph Ryan, commander of Army Garrison Hawaiʻi, said there's a light at the end of the tunnel.
"We’re moving toward moving people back into homes, and that is our single priority in this effort is to get you moved back into your homes. And the primary factor we’ve got to achieve in that effort is getting you clean water," Ryan said.
Ryan also addressed the issue of a social media video that showed Army officials expressing alarm while inspecting a home in AMR.
The video caused consternation among some residents, who asked whether there were more environmental hazards in the water.
Ryan reiterated that the officials were showing concern because they were unaware of an unmapped sprinkler system.
