2016-10-26 Environmental Management Commission Minutes

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6. NEW BUSINESS Discussion of policy options to improve the integration of fresh water use and reclaimed water reuse—both residential and wastewater from treatment plants - Commissioner Bennett provided background for these options. - Some jurisdictions such as Austin, Texas; San Diego, California; and Honolulu. Hawaii have made reuse mandatory. - Hawaii County doesn't have policies and programs that encourage or require reuse. - Possible policies that could be put into place are sited in the Policy Options handout(attached to the original minutes). - The County of Hawaii has not developed a water reuse program and does not provide recycled water to any facilities. It is not doing well with water recycling as noted in Figure 3-2 of the handout. - The Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant is being upgraded to produce RI water. - A private treaty will be required to facilitate water reuse on properties not under county control. - Grey water from home sinks, showers, laundry, for example, is suitable for home reuse, constituting the major share of all household wastewater. o Grey water reuse in the home are is not illegal. o Many homeowners and construction professionals do not know the State Uniform Plumbing Code and are not familiar with grey water design and construction. o DOH officials and some consultants discourage the use of grey water. o Regulations are confusing and burdensome. o Incentives such as reduction in sewer/disposal costs or fresh water"conservation" rates would encourage grey water reuse. - The County should consider options that include providing general promotion of the concept of water reuse. Discussion of the County Abandoned Vehicle Procedures (attached to original minutes) - The procedures were discussed and the Director provided information on the county's process of receiving and handling the vehicles. - The county does not remove vehicles from private property. Residents should contact a scrap metal dealer if they have personal vehicles to be disposed. Currently Big Island Scrap Metal is the only dealer on the island that has the necessary DOH permits to take scrap metal. - Commissioner Bennett made a motion that the commission send a letter to Council recommending(1) the current$12 portion of the vehicle registration fee that goes to the Vehicle Disposal fund be increased; (2) provide options for holding the registered owner of the abandoned vehicle responsible for the costs associated with removal of the vehicle and (3) recommending to the State Legislature that the pick-up period for abandoned vehicles be shortened. Commissioner Fear seconded the motion and it passed unanimously with those present, Commissioners Fritz, Bennett, Fear, Nahm-Mijo and Osborne voting yes. Commissioner Bennett will draft the letter for discussion at next meeting. - Councilmember Wille suggested that Commissioners meet with the Motor Vehicle Division staff to discuss the abandoned vehicle fees associated with vehicle registration and send a letter to Finance Department regarding increasing these fees. Discussion and brainstorming on the county solid waste program, to include an overview of the program and the closure of the Hilo landfill and Discussion and review of the county's December 2009 Integrated Resource and Solid Waste Management Plan (IRSWMP) (These two items were discussed simultaneously.) - Councilmember Wille offered the following: o The county has a good Zero Waste Plan and the new composting facility will be a big start in continuing our efforts. o If you do nothing relating to closure of the SHSL recommendations in the IRS WMP, you're doing something. The default"do nothing option" is that everything will go to Pu'uanahulu. o 40%to 60%of the trash is green waste and compostables. County of l lawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer