HI HCR102

University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center is requested to conduct a feasibility study on new technologies for cesspool water remediation, including organic biodegradable water clarifiers.

Study must address technologies applicable to individual homes, multi-unit dwellings, apartment buildings, and entire communities.

University must submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2024 Regular Session convening.

Hawaii has approximately 88,000 cesspools statewide with about 82,000 required to be upgraded or converted by January 1, 2050 under Act 125 (Session Laws of Hawaii 2017).

Many cesspools are categorized as Priority 1 or 2 (high health risk due to impacts on drinking water, human health, or sensitive waters) with approximately 1,000 individual wastewater system applications processed annually.