HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0023.002 2018-2020 1�t
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HarryKim Richard Bennett,Ph.D.
Mayor :.:�!�'�: S �:+': Chair
William A.Kucharski Jon Olson
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Director, Department of Vice Chair
Environmental Management County of Hawai'i
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
25 Aupuni Street• Hilo, Hawai'i 96720
Ph:(808)961-8083• Fax:(808)961-8086
January 23,2019 _ '
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Honorable Aaron Chung, Chair
and Members of the Hawai`i County Council
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Hawai`i County Council
25 Aupuni Street _w
Hilo,Hawai`i 96720
Subject: Bi11210 Regarding Increasing Wastewater Service Charge Rates
Dear Chair Chung and Councilmembers:
At the November 18, 2018,meeting of the Environmental Management Commission(EMC),
there was a unanimous vote of support for Bill 210, and a letter in support was communicated to
the County Council on December 4, 2018. Since that time,the chairman has been informed of
concerns about raising fees, especially for lower income residents. We appreciate that concern,
and we encourage the County Council to explore mechanisms for funding from all county
residents and visitors in order to keep the sewer system operating as required by state and federal
regulations.
Some members of the County Council have suggested the EMC provide an analysis of financial
options to fund sewer maintenance and operations. However, financing of community
infrastructure is outside both the charge and expertise,of the EMC.
The EMC does offer some perspective as to why deferring maintenance and the expertise to
manage wastewater operations is simply not a wise course of action. The sewer systems of the
county were originally funded by a combination of federal, state, and county funds. Thus, all
persons have contributed in some fashion, and all persons benefit. Efficient sewer operations are
critical for the public's health and the use of the near coastal waters (beaches). Both issues are
very large in the current public discourse.
The sewer systems of both East Hawai`i and West Hawai`i are aging rapidly in the highly
corrosive marine environment. Now at 30 to 50 years of age,the rate of deterioration is
increasing,making repairs expensive and, in some cases,technically unsound. Deferring
maintenance can have the effect of making repairs as expensive as building a new system.
Comm. No. 1•�'
County of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Ref.To: COu
Ref. Date JAN 2 5 2015
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Honorable Aaron, Chair
and Members of the Hawaii County Council
January 23, 2019
Page 2
All conventional sewer systems leak,the extent to which is determined by the age and
maintenance of the system. Inward leakage is called infiltration and inflow, or I and I.
Groundwater, seawater, and rainwater enters the lines in breaks, holes, and separations and
greatly adds to the volume and the cost and efficiency of treatment. Inefficient treatment raises
the risk of wastewater discharge that is partially treated, and as a result,public health is placed at
risk.
Seawater is infiltrating the sewer lines serving the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant. The
plant is undergoing a$70 million upgrade to produce Rl water for reuse. Reclaimed water with
a high salt and chloride content is unsuitable for irrigation applications. Thus, the value of the
water and the investment in reuse is in jeopardy from deferred maintenance. Failure of the reuse
program will result in continued discharge of wastewater to the environment and increase the
prospects of legal challenges, such as faced by Maui County.
The other form of sewer leakage is exfiltration. In this case,when a defect in the piping arises
and pressures from pumping stations or force mains are applied, sewage can flow out into the
environment. Along the coastal areas where sewers are common, exfiltration is a major concern.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that aged sewers leak 30%to 50% of the flows.
Currently,measuring exfiltration is not easy to do and is therefore not conducted by most U.S.
municipalities. Any exfiltration conveys human pathogens and the nutrientsnitrogen and
phosphorus to the ground water. If sewers are to be a future option for cesspit closures,
exfiltration must be monitored and controlled via regular operational surveillance and repairs.
Hence, it is easy to discern that efficient sanitary sewer systems are in the vital interests of all
county residents and visitors.
Extending the fee increases over a five-year period may on first blush seem fair and harmless.
However, we advise the county to move forward to enhance sewer efficiency sooner rather than
later. We further suggest a funding mechanism be explored to include all residents and visitors
to support sewer operations that protect health,the oceans,property values, and the economy.
We welcome any opportunity to further serve the County Council and our community.
Sincerely,
(by . Fr)
Richard Bennett, Ph.D.
Chair
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