2017-05-24 Environmental Management Commission Minutes

Home

asked if there is a plan B in case the monitoring turns up problems. Director Kucharski stated we will have to take corrective action to determine why it happened. Dr. Bennett stated the concern of having metals in the Landfill is warranted due to its age. Landfill could possibly have batteries and other metals. o At the last meeting Dr. Bennett stated he raised a question about wastewater not being disinfected. Director Kucharski stated we are not required by Department of Health regulations to chlorinate discharge. However we do add 0.1 milligrams per liter of chlorine to the effluent to be a little safer. Dr. Bennett stated he looked at the science of chlorination of wastewaters and depending upon how much organic material is in solution, you need to add more chlorine. To effectively disinfect wastewater it takes between 2 and 10 milligrams per liter so would have to conclude that the disinfection that is occurring is negligible if any. This is a concern because the groundwater flows down towards Honokohau Harbor and there is ample evidence that that water is showing up in the Harbor and flowing out towards a public beach. Dr. Bennet would like this Commission to write to Sina Pruder, Chief of the Wastewater Branch and ask her why the department deems it appropriate to dispose of untreated wastewater in the ground. Also true for injection wells. Dr. Bennett stated there are a number of ways to greatly reduce the microbial load. With our new process we will use ultra violet which is much more environmentally friendly. Chair Fritz asked Dr. Bennett to draft the letter and bring to the next meeting. Mr. Olson stated it might be more effective if the letter went to someone with a higher authority since Ms. Pruder is probably following direction from someone above her. Dr. Bennett stated that would be Director Pressler. Ms. Schoen objected stating she feels uncomfortable with this letter as it goes beyond the scope of the task of the Commission which is to advise the Department per County Charter Section 10.5. Mr. Olson stated the mission statement he received in his packet states the Commission advises the County Council. Dr. Bennett asked if the mission state is invalid. Ms. Schoen stated it's not completely invalid as part of the Commission's duties in the County Code is to provide comments and recommendations to the County Council on matters of legislation. Dr. Bennett stated unless there is a law that prohibits the Commission from doing this, they should do it. Mr. Vidgen stated it's a big concern for the community so we should proceed with the letter. Dr. Bennett will draft a letter to Director Pressler and bring to next month's meeting. b. Commission Member District Update Reports: o District 4: Mr. Olson stated they are anxiously waiting for a wastewater system in Pahoa. On the Solid Waste side we do have two recycling centers unfortunately they were not well placed because the central population is Hawaiian Paradise Park and rapidly filling up. We have four different bodies trying to sort out connectivity and emergency response, Wastewater issues for the development of regional town centers, and how to preserve our quality of life. o District 8: Mr. Fear stated on May 20th they had a keiki surf contest with 150 kids ages 14 and under. We were teaching them about micro plastics. A great day to teach the kids to take care of the earth. Park clean up at the old airport was supposed to take place in April but it got cancelled because they need to figure out where to put the homeless people. In the meantime the park is still under stress. Homeless people is still a problem. Should clean the park so tax payers can use it. Need to keep pressure on the County to do their jobs. The highway seems to be moving along more. o District 6: Dr. Bennett stated South Kona is growing. As a result Waiea Transfer Station is getting busy and the recycle bins are frequently full and can't take anymore. Plus the 4