A spill of treated effluent occurred at 7:27 a.m. today in Waimea as a result of the opening of the ditch at Kikiaola due to the threat of imminent flooding, Kaua'i County officials said in a news release.

The treated effluent comes from the Waimea Wastewater Treatment Plant and flows at a volume of approximately 300,000 gallons per day.

The State Department of Health was notified, assessed the situation and posted caution signs in the area. The ditch will remain open until the threat of flooding has subsided.