2016-09-28 Environmental Management Commission Minutes

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5. CORRESPONDENCE/REPORTS/DISCUSSION: • Director's Report(attached to original minutes): WASTEWATER DIVISION - Treatment/Collection Systems and Pumping Stations/Force Mains: o Sleeves are inserted into sewer pipes to repair leaks. o The county has no control or enforcement mechanism over residents to repair laterals that connect to the county sewer system. This issue should be addressed by DEM in the future. o All county sewer lines are inspected with remote control cameras with the exception of the Hilo Outfall which is inspected by scuba divers. o The State DOH is looking at extending the tax credit for closing cesspools for residents living within 200 feet from the certified shore line and possibly extending the 200 feet requirement for replacement of cesspools with septic tanks or connecting to a sewer system. o In conjunction with the Governor's office, a Wastewater Panel Discussion Forum was held last week and included representatives from the State DOH and County DEM/WWD and wastewater consultants. o The goal of the DEM, State DOH and EPA is to get all cesspools closed and replaced. o The Director also expressed that education is needed on what is acceptable and not acceptable to dispose of into the county sewer lines. Commissioner Osborne made a motion that a letter be drafted on behalf of the Environmental Management Commission to State Legislators regarding the monitoring, detecting and enforcing repairs to laterals on private property that impacts the integrity of the sewer system; and a solution-based offering of extending the DOH tax credit to assist more people living near shoreline to convert from cesspools to other types of wastewater disposal. Commissioner Neff seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously with commissioners present: Fritz, Bennett, Nahm-Mijo, Neff and Osborne voting yes. Commissioner Bennett made an amendment to the motion to recommend that they prioritize the areas of the state based on risk. Commissioner Osborne seconded the motion. A voice vote was made and the motion passed unanimously with commissioners present: Fritz, Bennett, Nahm-Mijo,Neff and Osborne voting yes. Director Leithead Todd will prepare a draft letter to be submitted to the commissioners for discussion and approval at the next meeting. - Treatment/Collection Systems and Pumping Stations/Force Mains: o East and West Hawaii Line Maintenance Sections continue to perform repair work during their regularly scheduled cleaning and maintenance. - Safety Practices/Training: o WWD is awaiting more information from the contractor on the mold abatement at the Hilo WWTP Administration Bldg. - Na`alehu LCC Replacement: o Following the community meeting, the consultants are evaluating different treatment facility options and alternate sites for the wastewater facility. o In October, Keoni Fox, a Na`alehu property owner,will identify and provide the WWD and consultants with possible alternative sites that may be more acceptable to the community. o All proposed sites will be inspected for burials, archeological work and/or lava tubes that might restrict the land use for a WWTP facility. o Another community meeting will be held in a few months. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.