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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunication No. 2024-12 DEM Presentation on Cesspool ConversionsCesspool Conversions in the County of Hawai‘i Ramzi Mansour, Director Department of Environmental Management Communication No. 2024-12 Agenda •What are cesspools and how many are within the County of Hawai‘i •The driving legislative force •COH public engagement meetings •Most likely conversion options for COH •Roles and responsibilities Owner vs. COH vs. DOH •Cost •Why now and How •How to participate to shape the Wastewater vision for the COH Cesspools are harming our environment •Cesspools are substandard systems. They don’t treat wastewater; they merely dispose of it. Cesspools concentrate the wastewater in one location, often deep within the ground and in direct contact with groundwater, causing groundwater contamination. --DOH Cesspools, continued CAROLLO / 5 updatefooter0323.pptx/5updatefooter0323.pptx/5Waterkeepers Hawaiian Islands Hawaiʻi County has the most cesspools in the State Priority Category Number of Cesspools 1 5,119 cesspools (11%) 2 2,619 cesspools (5%) 3 40,858 cesspools (84%) Total 48,596 cesspools 2,000 cesspools per year need to be converted to meet the 2050 deadline. The Driving Legislative Force •HRS 342D-72: (a) Before January 1, 2050, every cesspool in the State, excluding cesspools granted exemptions by the director of health pursuant to subsection (b), shall be: (1) Upgraded or converted to a director-approved wastewater system; or (2) Connected to a sewerage system. (b) The director of health may grant exemptions (based on small lot size, steep topography, poor soils, or accessibility issues) •Act 132 (2018): Created the Cesspool Conversion Working Group •Analyzed 15 objectives in the broad categories of Finance, Technology, and Data Prioritization •Presented findings to the 2023 Legislature www.hawaiicesspooltool.org CAROLLO / 10 updatefooter0323.pptx/10updatefooter0323.pptx/10Who is responsible for what? Hawaii Department of Health, Wastewater Branch •Review and approve new individual wastewater systems (e.g., septic tanks, aerobic treatment units, or others). •Regulate and oversee all IWSs state-wide, including enforcement of the cesspool ban. •Implement IWS financial aid (when available). Hawaii County •Support constituents by developing a roadmap to guide the County’s cesspool conversions. •Operate and maintain County-owned sewers, wastewater pump stations, and wastewater treatment plants. •Plan and build new sewers so that feasible homes can connect (convert cesspools). •Review and approve building permits.Homeowner •Comply with the State’s cesspool conversion mandate. Most likely conversion options for COH •Expansion of centralized sewer service areas •Decentralized systems •Potential conversion option for clustered systems that cannot be feasibly connected to centralized systems •Individual wastewater systems •Conversion technology is dependent onsite conditions 11 CAROLLO / 12 Options to Replace Cesspools Connection to an Existing County Treatment Plant Decentralized or Cluster System with a New Treatment Plant Upgrade Cesspool to an Approved Onsite System https://gis.hawaiicounty.gov/arcgisportal/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9517e052e2464706bfc81165e35b7fcchttps://twri.tamu.edu/publications/txh2o/2022/winter-2022/bigger-is-not-always-better-decentralizing-texas-wastewater-infrastructure/https://www.epa.gov/septic/types-septic-systems Kealakehe WWTP Example Slide CAROLLO / 13 updatefooter0323.pptx/13updatefooter0323.pptx/13Conversion option #1: Connect to the County’s sewer system (Centralized System) •Proximity to existing collection system •Feasibility of extending the collection system •Available capacity at the wastewater treatment plant •Cost of upgrades and sewer fees County Wastewater Treatment Plants CAROLLO / 14 updatefooter0323.pptx/14updatefooter0323.pptx/14Connect to the County’s sewer system Benefits Challenges County will need to expand sewer system Cost to the County will be significant, but can be financed/recovered over time County requires staff/support to implement projects Potential to reduce potable water use and increase recycled water use Excellent environmental protection Potential for rapid conversions Homeowners will not have to operate and maintain an individual system Potential to reduce the burden of conversions by limiting scope to sewer lateral only CAROLLO / 15 updatefooter0323.pptx/15updatefooter0323.pptx/15Conversion option #2: Connect to a new or existing Decentralized or Cluster WWTP •Connecting groups of homes (50 to several hundred) •Smaller version of a centralized WWTP •Larger version of an onsite individual wastewater system •Cost of construction and sewer fees https://www.epa.gov/septic/types-septic-systems CAROLLO / 16 updatefooter0323.pptx/16updatefooter0323.pptx/16Connect to a new or existing Decentralized or Cluster WWTP Benefits Challenges Neighborhood coordination needed (e.g., Sewer Improvement District) Costs for up-front planning, design, and construction Need for licensed, skilled operators Land/space requirements Potential to reduce potable water use and increase recycled water use Excellent environmental protection Potential for rapid conversions Homeowners will not have to operate and maintain an individual system Potential to reduce the burden of conversions by limiting scope to sewer lateral only Broadens range of funding opportunities CAROLLO / 17 updatefooter0323.pptx/17updatefooter0323.pptx/17Conversion option #3: Convert to a DOH-Approved Onsite System •Site evaluation by licensed engineer to determine possible system options •Regulation (HAR 11-62): systems approved for use by DOH •Submit application for each system to be reviewed/approved by DOH •Typically, minimum lot size of 10,000 square feet CAROLLO / 18 updatefooter0323.pptx/18updatefooter0323.pptx/18Convert to an Approved Onsite System Benefits Challenges Homeowners are responsible for operating and maintaining system Cost must be borne by homeowner and financial support is needed by many Owners must hire licensed engineer and contractor Environmental risk because effluent is directly discharged into ground Potentially lower construction costs Better than cesspools Additional land would not need to be acquired Relatively fewer permitting requirements Homeowner demonstrates environmental stewardship CAROLLO / 19 updatefooter0323.pptx/19updatefooter0323.pptx/19How much does a cesspool conversion cost? It depends on the conversion method… •IWS: Homeowners’ costs for IWS conversions range from $30K to $70K (site-specific +/-) • Sewering: Cost estimates from Puna Facility Plan− Estimated $4B to $11B capital cost for different sewering alternatives (County sewers) CAROLLO / 20 updatefooter0323.pptx/20updatefooter0323.pptx/20Future plans for financial support Hawaii County is exploring grant and low interest loan options for County projects. •Federal funding opportunities. •Prioritize high priority cesspools and financially burdened. State financial support programs: •Waitlist is filled for the current $20K DOH grant program. •Other programs are to be determined. https://health.hawaii.gov/wastewater /home/ccpgp/ CAROLLO / 21 updatefooter0323.pptx/21updatefooter0323.pptx/21– Why •To protect human health •To manage precious groundwater sources, shorelines, beaches, reefs, and ocean activities •To comply with Federal and State laws •To provide a road map for future development planning •To address solutions to current conditions •To identify and forecast capital improvements and work on financial plans in advance •To create a preventative maintenance program •To tackle the top priorities and identify necessary resources CAROLLO / 22 updatefooter0323.pptx/22updatefooter0323.pptx/22– How •Close and ongoing collaboration with the County Council over the last three years to tackle our wastewater challenges head-on •DEM has been working on multiple fronts to solve the wastewater problem by: »Finalizing the Puna and Pāhoa wastewater master plans »Undertaking a wastewater rate study to address the fiscal shortfalls »Securing the services of Carollo Engineers to address the Integrated Wastewater Management Plan, the Cesspool Master Conversion Plan, the Facility Plan, the Hilo WWTP, and a revision of Operations and Maintenance manuals CAROLLO / 23 updatefooter0323.pptx/23updatefooter0323.pptx/23Two rounds of public engagement First Round: Basis of Cesspool Conversion Plan •Water stewardship •Importance of eliminating cesspools •Overview of options to convert cesspools February 2024 Second Round: Cesspool Conversion Plan Findings •Conversion options by region •Financing & funding concepts Summer 2024 CAROLLO / 24 updatefooter0323.pptx/24updatefooter0323.pptx/24Ongoing Public Engagement First Round: February 2024 •Maps showing conversion options: •Connect to an existing wastewater treatment plant •Connect to a new cluster or decentralized wastewater treatment plant •Replace cesspool with an approved system •What will it cost and how to pay? •Financing & funding concepts Second Round: Summer 2024 CAROLLO / 25 updatefooter0323.pptx/25updatefooter0323.pptx/25For more information, please see DEM’s website or email https://www.dem.hawaiicounty.gov/projects/integrated-wastewater-management-plan Scan me cohdem@hawaiicounty.gov CAROLLO / 26 updatefooter0323.pptx/26updatefooter0323.pptx/26How to participate in the legislative process… Tips on testimony: https://lrb.hawaii.gov/par/engagement-101/tips-on-testimony/ Scan me Include the bill number, bill’s title, your name Address the committee chair and members Clearly state whether you support or oppose the bill Introduce yourself and your organization (if any) that you represent Summarize the reason for your position; provide facts and/or tell a personal story Thank the committee for the opportunity to testify Keep it short CAROLLO / 27 updatefooter0323.pptx/27updatefooter0323.pptx/27How to participate in the legislative process… Scan me Use your voice at the Legislature: https://lrb.hawaii.gov/par/use-your-voice-at-the- legislature/ Communicate with your Legislators Share an idea for a new law Ask for a public hearing Testify Repeat as necessary Contact the Governor Questions?