A Navy water well near Red Hill in Hawaii has been approved to reopen almost five years after the fuel leak that poisoned drinking water, which is good news for water supply but worrying for residents who still do not trust the Navy.

• The Halawa shaft can restart with conditions after the Department of Health signed off on testing.
• The Board of Water Supply says too little is known about how water moves underground near the old fuel tanks.
• Most of the 49 monitoring wells sit on Navy land at Red Hill, leaving the surrounding area barely watched.
• Advocates want far more frequent testing for PFAS chemicals and new wells off Navy property to trace where contamination comes from.
• The Navy says both the health department and the EPA have certified no fuel in the drinking water since early 2022, but past cover-ups keep residents skeptical.

Outlook: Expect continued pressure on regulators to force more off-base testing before the well is fully trusted.