It’s the first round of federal funding for the removal of fuel at the World War II-era fuel farm.

Five years ago, the state health department increased the acceptable level of diesel in drinking water. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply says that was a mistake.

The decision to take the state to court sets up a possible showdown over the World War II-era fuel tank farm that is at the center of a water contamination crisis.

Water testing was supposed to detect a disaster before it hit people’s faucets. But thousands of military families in Hawaii never got a warning.

Hawaii officials said they were “very disappointed” by the decision.

DOH says the pumping and filtration plan will help prevent the contamination from spreading further in the aquifer.

As the Navy works to clean up the mess, pressure is building to shut down the Red Hill facility permanently.

Some city and state lawmakers are not counting on the health department order to protect Oahu’s drinking water.

The governor wants to see proof the Navy can operate the fuel tanks safely but says he’ll consider issuing the facility a new permit.

Results from a groundwater monitoring well near the tanks showed levels of contamination in October and November that exceed state limits.