H.R. 183 Summary

• Urges the Department of Health and University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center to incentivize wastewater treatment plants to test sewage sludge, reclaimed water, and other residual materials for PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances), known as "forever chemicals" that do not degrade.

• Requests the Department of Health adopt administrative rules for safe disposal and sequestration of sewage sludge, reclaimed water, and residual materials containing any amount of PFAS.

• Directs the Department of Health to prohibit issuing or renewing permits for using PFAS-contaminated sewage sludge, reclaimed water, or other residual material on agricultural land, land with drainage tiles, land draining into state waters, or five-hundred-year floodplains.

• Identifies PFAS contamination detected in Hawaii's drinking water, soil, and groundwater, including elevated levels in Kunia and Waipio on Oahu, and notes the April 2024 EPA finalization of monitoring rules for public water systems.

• Requests the Governor support the Department of Health's actions and directs transmission of certified copies to the Governor, Director of Health, and Director of the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center.