Pollution from on-site sewage disposal systems and injection wells is impacting coral reefs worldwide. Through onsite testing and reef surveys at Puakō, Hawaiʻi Island, researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, UH Mānoa and other organizations found sewage pollution was moderate on the offshore reef from seeps, and that water motion mixed and diluted the pollutant. The study 'Detection and impact of sewage pollution on South Kohala's coral reefs, Hawaiʻi,' was published in Marine Pollution Bulletin in March 2023, and led by UH Hilo alumnus Devon Aguiar, who holds a master of science degree from the tropical conservation and environmental science program.
https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2023/03/31/impact-of-sewage-pollution-on-reefs#hawaii