HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0227.014 1996-1998 ay`• spa; ;
BENJAMIN J.CAYETANO ~ LAWRENCE MIIKE
GOVERNOR DIRECTOR OF HEALTH
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STATE OF HAWAII i~;;,~~„ ~ 1 7 ~
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
P.O. BOX 916 C
HILO, HAWAII 96]21-0916 CCU,
November 21, 1997
Councilwoman Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd
Planning Committee Chairman
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Dear Councilwoman Leithead-Todd:
SUBJECT: County of Hawaii, Proposed Chapter 23, Subdivisions
The Department of Health's Wastewater Branch has reviewed the draft subdivision ordinance and
has the following comments to offer:
1. Section 23-1-5(31): Please change the definition of"sanitary engineer" to "environmental
engineer." "Environmental engineer" means the Chief of the Environmental management
Division of the State Department of Health or his/her duly authorized agent.
All reference to sanitary engineers in the proposed ordinance should likewise be changed.
2. Section 23-2-7 & 8: We do not concur with this exemption. There are situations in which
existing individual wastewater systems may conflict with proposed subdivision plans. The
Department of Health reviews preliminary subdivision plans tc insure that existing
wastewater systems do not conflict with proposed property lines, setbacks or other
provisions of our wastewater rules.
In addition to the above, it is the Department's policy to request as a condition of
subdivision approval, that an existing cesspool system be upgraded into anon-cesspool
system in critical wastewater disposal areas.
3. Section 23-2-9: The Department's wastewater rules have changed substantially since
1991. Cesspools are no longer the generally accepted method of wastewater disposal
from dwellings. Therefore, we request that specific language be placed into this section
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Councilwoman Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd
November 21, 1997
Page 2
requiring that lots within pre-existing subdivisions comply with the most current
Department of Health wastewater rules.
4. Section 23-2-10: This section should only apply to existing dwellings and lots created for
such dwellings. For vacant lots created within such subdivisions, we request that all
applicable provisions of the Department's wastewater rules be adhered to.
Section 23-2-10(g): Special care must be taken when lot lines are created in such
plantation communities. The Department's concern is that individual wastewater systems
serving existing dwellings remain on the appropriate property. We do not wish to have
individual wastewater systems located on adjacent properties.
5. Section 2-3-3(b)(4)(D): Please change the phrase "private sewage disposal systems" to
"individual wastewater systems and/or private wastewater treatments works." These
terms are consistent with the language used in our Wastewater rules.
6. Division 2, Construction Plans: There are instances where the Department requests that
existing Individual Wastewater Systems be upgraded as part of the final subdivision
approval. Such upgrades are not necessarily shown on subdivision construction plans.
However, some mechanism needs to be developed whereby the Department is satisfied
that the applicant will upgrade the existing cesspool system(s) prior to final subdivision
approval.
7. Section 23-3-12: A mechanism needs to be set up such that the Department can
communicate compliance with health or wastewater conditions prior to the County
granting final subdivision approval.
8. Section 23-3-14: Procedures are needed on inspections for health or private wastewater
system related matters. Normally, the County has placed the responsibility for inspecting
individual wastewater systems onto the Department of Health. Coordination is required
prior to granting final subdivision approval.
9. Section 23-3-15: This section should be limited to only matters under the County's
jurisdiction. If there are matters relating to the Health Department, this section should not
be exercised.
10. The term "sewage disposal" should be replaced with "wastewater disposal" to be
consistent with the Department's terms.
, .
Councilwoman Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd
November 21, 1997
Page 3
Thank you for allowing the Department of Health to make comments. Should you have any
questions, please feel free to contact the Wastewater Branch at telephone no. 586-4294.
Sincerely,
AARON UENO
District Environmental Health
Program Chief
cc: Virginia Goldstein, Planning Director, County of Hawaii
June Kunimoto, District Health Administrator, Hawaii District Health Office