COM 0717.034 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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19. Were there any sewer spills in FY05 and FY 06? Two sewage spill incidents occurred during this reporting period. 1) February 23, 2005. A sewage spill of less than 100 gallons occurred at the Papaikou Wastewater Treatment Plant which was caused by failure of supernatant pump (liquid portion of digester). The spill was confined within facility and the pump control was repaired. 2) May 24, 2005. A sewage spill of approximately 2,500 gallons occurred at the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant which was caused by grease blockage at diversion box. The spill was confined within the facility and portable pumps were utilized to bypass the blocked area in order to minimize the extent of the spill. The blockage was removed and regular inspections of the diversion boxes were added to the maintenance schedule in order to prevent further occurrences. One treatment plant bypass occurred during this reporting period: 1) February 4, 2006. A treatment plant bypass of approximately 184,521 gallons occurred at the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant which was caused by a power outage and failure of Effluent Facility flow meter to reset upon restoration of electrical power. This resulted in a false signal to the chlorination system and shut- down of the chlorination system. The flowmeter was replaced with a newer unit to minimize the possibility of failure during electrical power outages. Shoreline bacterial sampling was also conducted to verify no contamination of shoreline waters and was found to be within normal limits and a press release was issued to notify the public. 20. Are there any problems with the proposed Na'alehu and Pahala sewer systems? Currently, preliminary engineering investigative work is still ongoing in efforts to produce a final preliminary engineering report tentatively scheduled for completion in June. Until this is accomplished, it would be difficult to identify all the problems associated with the proposed sewer systems. However, it is suspected that a lava tube exists on the Pahala side that would require re-siting of the septic tank and leach field. This entails relocating the septic tank and leach field elsewhere on the property. Other problems will be resolved as they occur. We will request Council's assistance in addressing the need for establishing sewer rates for septic tank sewer system users. For comparison purposes, the current monthly service rate for gang cesspools is $15 per month under HCC Section 21-36.1. 21. What vacant positions will not be filled in FY06? We expect to Till all funded positions in FY06-07. We currently have the following vacant positions in the Wastewater Division: Wastewater Deputy Division Chief -This position is being reallocated to a Civil Engineer IV. A recruitment will follow.