HI HCR111

Request Department of Health to establish regional cesspool modernization task forces in each county to investigate feasibility of findings from the department's December 2017 report on cesspool replacement.

Hawaii has 87,900 inventoried cesspools depositing approximately 53 million gallons of raw sewage daily into groundwater and surface waters, with estimated upgrade costs of $1.75 billion total or $54.7 million annually through 2049.

Each county task force must include 8 minimum members: one DOH representative, one state senator, one state representative, one county council member, economic development and wastewater management representatives, one agricultural representative, and one community member.

Task force members must elect chair, vice chair, and other officers; convene first meeting by July 1, 2018; and submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2019 Regular Session.

Task forces cease to exist on June 30, 2020.