HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0137.005 2020-2022 cow,157
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Written Testimony submitted to the County Council of Hawaii
Committee on Regenerative Agriculture, Water, Energy, and Environmental Management
Meeting date: 3/16121 3
Submitted by: William Primacio Sewer Maintenance Repairer Working Supervisor,
Wastewater Division, Department of Environmental Management
I am submitting my testimony today regarding other Wastewater options besides privatization. I
have transferred to East Hawai'i Wastewater Division from the City and County of Honolulu
Wastewater Department . I was surprised about the cost of our sewer fees here in Hawai'i
County Wastewater which is currently $27.00 a month. In Honolulu my sewer fee was $200.00 a
month based water usage. If there were any delinquencies it would result in a water shut off to
prevent water from entering our sewer system. We always had the funding to operate because
almost all of Oahu are on the city Wastwater system.
I have moved my family to this community because of the Island lifestyle here on the Big Island.
It is sad to transfer here and now hear of an option of going private. I see the wastewater
situation here and find out that our facilities drastically need an upgrade. I feel it is not the fault
of the employees of Wastewater that it is in that situation. I think that there was no revenue and
sewer fees should have been revised through the years. I think there also should be a
automated system for billing to keep up with payments that will generate revenue for our
division. I think there are other ways to get fundings for our facilities instead of just a bailout and
going private.
Comm No ` J
Ref. o:
Ref. Date1 6 2021
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