HI HB181

Hawaii has more than 80,000 cesspools discharging approximately 50 million gallons of wastewater into groundwater daily, causing pollution and public health hazards.

Requires priority level 1 cesspools (13,821 identified as highest pollution) to be upgraded, converted, or connected to sewerage systems by January 1, 2030.

Requires priority level 2 cesspools (12,367 identified as significant contamination hazard) to be upgraded, converted, or connected by January 1, 2035.

Allows the director of health to grant exemptions for properties with legitimate reasons including small lot size, steep topography, poor soils, or accessibility issues.

Priority level 3 cesspools (approximately 55,237 or 69% of total) remain subject to the existing 2050 deadline under Hawaii Revised Statutes section 342D-72.