HI HR99

Request Department of Health to establish regional cesspool modernization task forces in each county to investigate feasibility and impacts of cesspool upgrades, conversions, and connections based on 2017 department findings.

Department of Health December 2017 report identified 87,900 inventoried cesspools in Hawaii discharging approximately 53 million gallons of raw sewage daily into groundwater and surface waters.

Estimated upgrade costs of $20,000 or more per cesspool, totaling approximately $1.75 billion statewide, with average annual construction investment of $54.7 million from 2018 to 2049.

Each task force must include representatives from Department of Health, State Senate, State House, county council, economic development, wastewater management, agriculture, and community members; task forces must hold first meeting by July 1, 2018, and submit findings and recommendations by twenty days before 2019 Legislative Session.

Task forces authorized to cease operations on June 30, 2020.