HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-16 EMC agenda item 6a - SB3363_cohdem_support_AENMitchell D. Roth Ramzi 1. Mansour
mayor Director
Lee Lord +r ';• Brenda lokepa-Moses
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Managing Director Deputy Director
County of Hawaii
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
345 Kekdanao`a Street, Suite 41 - Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • cohdem@hawaiicounty.gov
Ph: (808) 961-8083 - Fax: (808) 961-8086
February 10, 2022
Senator Mike Gabbard, Chair, and
Members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment
Dear Chair Gabbard,
The Department of Environmental Management appreciates the opportunity to support SB 3363.
We operate the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant, which treats approximately 3 million gallons
of wastewater per day and serves the Hilo area.
Within the next two fiscal years we expect to spend capital costs of $150 million to $200 million
to upgrade the Hilo WWTP, which includes design and construction for preliminary treatment,
primary treatment, and secondary treatment processes.
The condition of the plant is in dire need of replacement due to chronic underfunding for
maintenance and upkeep. The County has completed an assessment plan and has started the
initial design for replacing treatment processes that were identified as high priority. The
programmatic planning and design effort is costing the County close to $17 million, in addition
to the above -mentioned capital costs.
Currently no recovery is done on the treated wastewater and 100 percent of it is discharged to an
ocean outfall outside the Hilo breakwater. The historical practice of individual wastewater
systems in new residential developments over sewer line extensions to the sewer collection
system has contributed to the underfunding.
The condition assessment of the Hilo WWTP has identified multiple systems that are at the end
of their useful lifespan with no redundancy should they fail or become taken offline due to a
natural disaster. However, funding remains a key obstacle.
We look forward to participating in this hearing to address other questions as you may have.
Gw�'_ 'z -
Brenda lokepa-Moses, Deputy Director
Eric Takamura, Deputy Wastewater Division Chief
Hawai `i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer