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Vice Chair Bennett said that Dr. Pressler did not even address the second paragraph of <br />their letter, which asked her to justify the discharge of non-disinfected wastewater. Director <br />Kucharski said she did say that based on the sampling results, there is no indication beaches are <br />being polluted. <br /> <br /> Vice Chair Bennett said Dr. Pressler looked at a little measurement at Hapuna Beach, <br />which is almost a quarter mile away from the harbor outfall. She skirted the answer. The State <br />has the position that these discharges, like at Kealakehe, do not impact the coastal waters. The <br />previous director, Larry Lau, said the discharge does not enter waters of the United States. Dr. <br />Pressler’s letter said it does happen. Her suggestion that Pine Trees Beach is representative of <br />what is coming out of Honokohau is disingenuous. She is also inaccurate in her statements about <br />staph. Contrary to what Dr. Pressler says, there is technology to measure very precisely. He said <br />he was frustrated, to say the least. <br /> <br /> Commissioner Olson asked if Vice Chair Bennett could respond to the letter, and he said <br />he can, as an individual. When they wrote the letter to Dr. Pressler, he knew DOH was going to <br />sidestep the issue. There are so many R-3 discharges, from households to the military to <br />communities. The EMC is recommending that all discharges go to R-1, and that <br />recommendation needs to come from the Council. <br /> <br /> Director Kucharski said that R-1 discharges for non-point sources, or home systems, <br />would be very difficult to deal with. Vice Chair Bennett said the issue is about municipal <br />discharges. Director Kucharski said if they can control the outflow, they can control the <br />treatment. They are working on the issue in Puakō, where they need to get out of cesspools and <br />septic systems, and will be meeting with them soon. Puakō is a test case—they’re too wealthy to <br />get grants but not wealthy enough to afford the solution. He will continue to work with Coral <br />Alliance. Everything that will constrain a cost effective impact exists in Puakō. It is the perfect <br />place for a public-private partnership. <br /> <br /> Director Kucharski said he should point out that as soon as the solid waste fee increase is <br />passed or failed, he will be proceeding with a sewer rate study to increase the sewer fees. The <br />EPA requires that the wastewater system be sustainable and pay for itself. They’ve been taking <br />money out of the General Fund every year to support their wastewater operations. If the sewer <br />fees are doubled, they would still be the lowest in the state. In Lono Kona, there are about 183 <br />houses or units that will need to connect to the sewer, and it is about a $6 million fix. It costs <br />that much for just a minor sewering connection into the system. <br /> <br /> Commissioner Olson asked if there is a bond float to help the people who have to <br />connect, and Director Kucharski said that of the $6 million, $4 million will be paid by a grant <br />from the Department of Agriculture and $2.1 will be paid by the residents as a hook-up fee. It <br />will be on their property tax and expended over the years. They will also have sewer fees to pre- <br />pay. There will also be equipment costs for the Wastewater Division. <br /> <br /> Director Kucharski continued with his report. They are going forward on a <br />condemnation of a property in Pāhala for the wastewater treatment plant. Bishop Estate <br />(correction, ought to have stated Kamehameha Schools) said they are not allowed to sell the <br />property, but if it is condemned they can release it. It is a friendly condemnation. Public <br />9 <br /> <br />