2020-06-24 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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happen, and it needs to be considered. If the sole focus is ultimately getting an NPDES permit, it could cause other opportunities to use the water to be ignored. Also, the current infiltration of salt water could make this whole discussion moot, as the water is currently not of interest to anyone because of the salt. The focus should be on the distribution systems and making a useable, valuable product with an economic return on the investment, as opposed to focusing on having to get an NPDES permit. Chair Pequeño spoke on the possible users of the R-1 water and how public-private partnerships could help with the infrastructure and getting the water out to users sooner, because if there are enough users, discharging the water could be avoided altogether. Commissioner Fulton stated, for the record, that the dye study is probably a waste of taxpayers’ money. As Dr. Bennett pointed out, there is a preponderance of evidence linking the sump to the pollution being observed now. She suggested they jump to agenda item 7c, the director’s update on the sewer pipe and lateral assessments in Kona, as there have been two significant blooms of an unknown green organism in Kailua Bay and Kealakekua Bay, suggesting an efflux of nutrients supplying the growth. Leaks in privately owned laterals could be a source of the nutrients. Commissioner Pequeño said he preferred to complete item 5b and asked Commissioner Gaffney to report on the subcommittee’s draft letter regarding solutions for reclaimed water. Commissioner Gaffney said the letter is still in draft form and is being reviewed by the committee. They should be able to get it out before the next meeting. Commissioner Fulton clarified the purpose of the letter is to encourage dialog between the county administration and private industries to specifically address recycling solutions at the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the letter is to go to Councilmember Richards and Director Kucharski. Chair Pequeño suggested they move to agenda items 7c through 7e, as they are relevant to the Kona matters being discussed. Motion, second, and vote: Commissioner Gaffney moved to jump to agenda items 7c through 7e, Commissioner Fulton seconded the motion, and all commissioners voted aye. 7. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE Director’s Informational Report (note: Director Kucharski gave his report starting with item 7a). a. Status of the proposed Pāhala and Nāālehu Wastewater Treatment Plantʻs. They are still in conversations with the State Historic Preservation Division and EPA on extensions and changes to the AOC deadlines, which are being impacted by the inability to move forward with the federal and state requirements for cultural items. On Pāhala, there 8