HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0137.002 2020-2022 i
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Written Testimony submitted to the County Council of Hawaii
Committee on Regenerative Agriculture, Water, Energy, and Environmental Management
Meeting date: 3/16/21
Re: Wastewater in the County of Hawaii
Submitted by: Sylvia Amaral Arquitola, MSW,via email on 3/13/21.
SR 997 introduced by Senator Lorraine Inouye to privatize wastewater systems in the County of
Hawai'i was recently defeated in the 2021 legislative session. Part of the premise of the bill was
that the county's wastewater systems are in gross disrepair and in need of significant
maintenance and upgrade, at significant cost to the County of Hawaii. Her solution is
privatization. Tim Richards, who called for this meeting seems to see privatization as a solution
as well. It is highly suspicious when two politicians representing districts that do not have
county sewer systems are advocating for privatization. One can only assume that there is some
financial gain to themselves if they achieve their goal.
Privatization comes not only at the expense of our county workers, but the public as well.
Privatization of sewer systems has historically resulted in higher rates for consumers- up to 63°1
more than public systems. ("Trends in Water Privatization"). Privatization also reduces public
accountability, and private companies can engage in practices such as "cherry-picking' where
and how services are provided, thus leaving economically challenged areas with limited or no
services ("Water Privatization: Facts and Figures").
Privatization is being touted as the golden answer to address budget deficits and the cost to
repair, upgrade and maintain sewer systems. However, when public services become privatized
to for-profit companies, the only winner will be the private company via a profit-driven model
of service ("In the public interest.org"). Private companies will do anything to increase their
bottom lines, including cutting corners, reducing quality of service, and increasing prices (Grant,
2013). Be assured, the profits that they gain will not be invested back into our local
community. I am at a loss as to why anyone would consider bringing more outside influences
into our State or county at the expense of local workers and citizens.
There are millions of dollars in grants available in the United States to address the issues of
upgrading and repairing infrastructure such as sewer systems. Some of these apply specifically
to rural areas, which applies to our entire island. Instead of looking at "solutions"that will hurt
county employees and their families, as well as our citizens in general by privatizing, maybe the
administration of the Department of Environmental Management should actually do some
work for a change and try applying for some of these grants. Finally, the fault for the current
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disrepair and needed upgrades for our sewer system and services falls squarely on the heads of
the Department of Environmental Management and the County of Hawai'i, for failing to upkeep
and maintain the systems as needed. It is unfair to punish we, the citizens of this County, when
vveare not responsible for the current status ofthe sewer onthis island.
Thank you for your consideration ofnoytestimony.
Sources:
^'Trom]o in Water Pcivo1iro1iou."In the Public Interest, 2010, www.inthepublicinterest.org/.
"Water Privatization: Facts and>igurcm" Food and Water Watch, 2Al5,
www.foodandwaterwatch.org.
Grant, Mary. Water Privatization Overview: APublic Interest Perspective on For-Profit Private
Sector Provision ofWater and Sewer Services inthe United States. Journal o/Law and Society,
2OI3, pp. l6J-l9l.
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