H.B. 181 Summary

• Requires priority level 1 cesspools (13,821 identified as highest pollution hazard) to be upgraded, converted, or connected to sewerage systems by January 1, 2030, rather than 2050.

• Requires priority level 2 cesspools (12,367 identified as significant contamination hazard) to be upgraded, converted, or connected by January 1, 2035, rather than 2050.

• Allows the director of health to grant exemptions from upgrade requirements when property owners demonstrate infeasible conditions including small lot size, steep topography, poor soils, or accessibility issues.

• Prioritizes conversion of Hawaii's 80,000+ cesspools that discharge approximately 50 million gallons of wastewater daily into groundwater, addressing public health and environmental concerns.

• Leaves remaining priority level 3 cesspools (approximately 55,237) subject to the original 2050 deadline under existing law.