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e,. r Honorable Aaron, Chair and Members of the Hawaii County Council January 23, 2019 Page 2 All conventional sewer systems leak,the extent to which is determined by the age and maintenance of the system. Inward leakage is called infiltration and inflow, or I and I. Groundwater, seawater, and rainwater enters the lines in breaks, holes, and separations and greatly adds to the volume and the cost and efficiency of treatment. Inefficient treatment raises the risk of wastewater discharge that is partially treated, and as a result,public health is placed at risk. Seawater is infiltrating the sewer lines serving the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant. The plant is undergoing a$70 million upgrade to produce Rl water for reuse. Reclaimed water with a high salt and chloride content is unsuitable for irrigation applications. Thus, the value of the water and the investment in reuse is in jeopardy from deferred maintenance. Failure of the reuse program will result in continued discharge of wastewater to the environment and increase the prospects of legal challenges, such as faced by Maui County. The other form of sewer leakage is exfiltration. In this case,when a defect in the piping arises and pressures from pumping stations or force mains are applied, sewage can flow out into the environment. Along the coastal areas where sewers are common, exfiltration is a major concern. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that aged sewers leak 30%to 50% of the flows. Currently,measuring exfiltration is not easy to do and is therefore not conducted by most U.S. municipalities. Any exfiltration conveys human pathogens and the nutrientsnitrogen and phosphorus to the ground water. If sewers are to be a future option for cesspit closures, exfiltration must be monitored and controlled via regular operational surveillance and repairs. Hence, it is easy to discern that efficient sanitary sewer systems are in the vital interests of all county residents and visitors. Extending the fee increases over a five-year period may on first blush seem fair and harmless. However, we advise the county to move forward to enhance sewer efficiency sooner rather than later. We further suggest a funding mechanism be explored to include all residents and visitors to support sewer operations that protect health,the oceans,property values, and the economy. We welcome any opportunity to further serve the County Council and our community. Sincerely, (by . Fr) Richard Bennett, Ph.D. Chair RB:mef