HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-27 EMC testimony (10-25) Holmes, Stephen - Recent Hilo bypass outfall
From: Stephen Holmes
Date: Mon, Oct 25, 2021 at 11:57 AM
Subject: Recent Hilo bypass out outfall
To: Georjean Adams
Cc: Cory (Martha) Harden, Jon Olson, Dee Fulton, Rick Gaffney
Georjean:
Thanks, Peter had indicated that they were official communications.
You might ask about recent raw sewage bypass in Hilo as it sounds like this could be a recurring issue
with the deterioration of equipment there. This calls into question the ability to meet secondary
standards under the Clean Water Act which is a minimum and has to consistently be met by the
treatment plant. The discharge was already a violation of outfall requirements and not achieving
secondary is a separate violation.
The EMC should recognize that conditions are really quite bad and the County really needs a plan. In the
past, I have referred to containerized MBR units that could be set up quickly and shut down the old
plant. These can be leased or done on a lease to purchase. They might qualify for FEMA funding with an
emergency declaration. We have already been told that the Hilo WWTP is structurally unsound and
unsafe, so this along with the recent bypass would seem to cry out for emergency designation.
I also urge the EMC to get an update on legislation to allow greater flexibility in utilizing private
partnerships given the current crisis with wastewater infrastructure islandwide.
While I think the position of Corporation Counsel in interpreting the Konno court decision is extreme,
certainly efforts in the legislature in this regard can’t hurt.
The bill last year died a horrible death and working with union representation to craft something new is
in order. Now is the time as session will be starting soon.
Mahalo,
Steve Holmes