2015-05-27 Environmental Management Commission Minutes

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WASTEWATER DIVISION - SIOM has been identified in the Bond Float for Wastewater projects to include the (1) Hilo Outfall Repair and (2) Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant R-1 Upgrade. A USDA grant may be available through Laiopua 2020 to use toward the R-1 Upgrade. $I 8M will come from State SRF funds and in future years, an additional $36M will be provided by SRF. Until R-1 water is available after upgrade of the KWWTP, the immediate plan is to provide some reuse water (R-2 quality) to DPR and Queen Lili`uokalam Trust (QLT). The department and QLT have been meeting to finalize this plan. After completing and approval of an EA or EIS, the possible start date for Phase 1 of this project is 2017. Phase 2, at a cost of $50M, will provide additional service lines, making the total cost of the project $104M. - QLT will develop its own wastewater facility for future development. - Repair and maintenance of sewer lines is the most costly items for the division. - When the sewer rate study is completed and reviewed by the department, the department intends to ask council for a rate increase. - The Hilo Outfall Repair project is awaiting permit approval as the EPA required a modification of the permit application submitted. - The Papa`ikou WWTP spill did not go into the ocean. DOH was notified and no public notice was required. SOLID WASTE DIVISION Landfill Tinning Fees: - The department is in discussion with the Mayor regarding increasing landfill tipping fees on an incremental time schedule. Green Waste Diversion - The estimated additional $.5M which will be brought in from the green waste tipping fees, effective July 1, 2015, will allow the department to provide green waste diversion areas at additional transfer stations and to possibly investigate on-site mulching contracts. Transfer Stations: - Volcano Transfer Station Repair Project: Cement has been poured. Hope to have the site open by end of the summer. When reopened the transfer station schedule will revert back to regular operating hours and days/ - Repair of the Glenwood Transfer Station is scheduled following the completion of the Volcano Transfer Station repair. - The water tank that was removed from the Pahoa Transfer Station when it was closed due to the lava flow is being reinstalled. The Reuse Center cover was installed off center and needs adjustment. DPW will be installing more restrictive signage at the transfer station regarding non-use of the transfer station as parking for lava viewing. South Hilo Sanitary Landfill: - Long range plan for Mass Transit is to have a base yard back of the landfill. - Looking at alternate roads in/out of landfill. Traffic mixture of residents, DLNR and Mass Transit vehicles is a concern. - The repair of the road is DEM responsibility and we will invite DLNR, DPW and Mass Transit to assist the dept. in preparing a management plan and sharing the road maintenance costs. - The county will not build a new landfill in Hilo. The county will focus on increasing diversion and continuing the sliver fill on the North face of the landfill which should increase the life of the landfill 8- 10 years. The county has another landfill at Pu`uanahulu where solid waste can be disposed. - Solid Waste Division long range goals: o Providing additional services at the transfer stations o Converting the Sort Station into a dirty Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) o Diversion of green waste by composting o Mandating private haulers to provide recycling services. Commission Member District Update Reports — includes information obtained from meetings with council members and district residents since the last commission meeting County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.