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Home My WebLink About2026-06 Draft COH Wastewater Rate Study Presentation for Agenda Item V.1.County of Hawai`i Wastewater Division Wastewater Rate Study June 2026 2 Why do a Wastewater Rate Study? •Wastewater Division Mission: •“To protect public health and the environment to enhance quality of life when managing the County Wastewater System, respect the community while spending wastewater public funds efficiently and appropriately, and nurture responsibility and professionalism in the Wastewater Division workplace.” 3 What is a Wastewater Rate Study •Projects wastewater utility revenues, expenses, and rates for a five-year period. •Defines how to pay for wastewater system expenses. •Determines a cost-of-service based schedule of rates that incorporate the County’s needs. 4 Description of Wastewater System Facilities •6 wastewater treatment plants •Two are larger: Hilo and Kealakehe •Four are smaller: Pāpaʻikou, Kulaʻimano, Kapehu, and Honokaʻa •5 million gallons of wastewater treated each day •2 large capacity cesspools, Pāhala and Nāʻālehu •120 miles of sewer mains •16 pump stations •20 miles of sewer mains cleaned each year 5 Wastewater Treatment Facility Map •Placeholder. Need map modified to show locations better 6 Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant 6 7 Pipe Installation 7 8 Pipe Repair: Sliplining 8 9 Repair of Papaikou Clarifier 9 10 Pipe Install 10 11 Current Issues •Maintain safe, reliable sewer service for public health and the environment •Increasing costs, aging infrastructure, regulatory requirements. •The need to pay for planned repairs and upgrades •Avoid service failures and emergency rate increases 12 •Aging infrastructure: pipes, pumps, treatment plants need replacement •Regulatory/compliance mandates •Rising operating costs: chemicals, labor, insurance •Reserves are at or below policy targets and cannot sustainably cover recurring costs Why is a Rate Increase Necessary? 13 •County is evaluating a new low-income assistance program •Amount of the discount is under consideration •County is considering the use of existing assistance programs such as eligibility as criteria New Low-Income Assistance Program 14 Proposed Monthly Wastewater Service Charges •Residential •Non-Residential •New Hotels Customer Class •Private Haulers 15 Proposed Monthly Wastewater Service Charges Residential Proposed Customer Class Current 11/1/2026 1/1/2028 1/1/2029 1/1/2030 1/1/2031 Units Residential Single-Unit Residential, Monthly Base Rate Charge $52.00 $63.00 $76.00 $91.00 $108.00 $125.00 $/Unit Multi-Unit Residential, Monthly Base Rate Charge $52.00 $63.00 $76.00 $91.00 $108.00 $125.00 $/Unit Gang Cesspools, Monthly Base Rate Charge $25.00 $32.00 $38.00 $46.00 $54.00 $62.00 $/Unit 16 Proposed Monthly Wastewater Service Charges Non-Residential Proposed Customer Class Current 11/1/2026 1/1/2028 1/1/2029 1/1/2030 1/1/2031 Units Non-Residential Monthly Base Rate Charge per Unit $54.00 $79.00 $94.00 $113.00 $134.00 $155.00 $/Unit Monthly Usage Charge per 1,000 Gallons 0 - 8 kgal (Included in Monthly Base Rate Charge)N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $/kgal 8 - 15 kgal $7.50 $7.50 $9.00 $10.80 $12.75 $14.80 $/kgal 15 - 30 kgal $9.00 $9.00 $10.80 $12.95 $15.30 $17.75 $/kgal >30 kgal $9.50 $9.50 $11.40 $13.70 $16.15 $18.75 $/kgal 17 Proposed Monthly Wastewater Service Charges New Customer Class Hotels Proposed Customer Class Current 11/1/2026 1/1/2028 1/1/2029 1/1/2030 1/1/2031 Units Hotels Monthly Base Rate Charge $54.00 $96.00 $115.00 $138.00 $163.00 $189.00 $/Unit Monthly Usage Charge per 1,000 Gallons 0 - 8 kgal (Included in Monthly Base Rate Charge)N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $/kgal 8 - 15 kgal $7.50 $8.85 $10.60 $12.75 $15.05 $17.45 $/kgal 15 - 30 kgal $9.00 $10.35 $12.40 $14.90 $17.60 $20.40 $/kgal >30 kgal $9.50 $10.85 $13.00 $15.60 $18.45 $21.40 $/kgal 18 Proposed Monthly Wastewater Service Charges Private Haulers Proposed Customer Class Current 11/1/2026 1/1/2028 1/1/2029 1/1/2030 1/1/2031 Units Private Haulers, $ per 500 Gallons Septage and Cesspool $64.00 $100.00 $140.00 $180.00 $217.00 $252.00 $/500 gal Portable Toilets $64.00 $84.00 $104.00 $127.00 $150.00 $174.00 $/500 gal WWTP $64.00 $125.00 $250.00 $375.00 $500.00 $550.00 $/500 gal 19 Monthly Wastewater Bill Comparison Average Single-Unit Residence Monthly Wastewater Bill as of July 1 of Each Year 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 County of Hawai`i $52.00 $52.00 $63.00 $76.00 $91.00 $108.00 $125.00 County of Maui $92.40 County of Kauai $73.75 $82.00 $91.00 $101.00 City and County of Honolulu $110.89 $133.45 $144.75 $157.81 $171.95 $187.48 $204.31 West Hawaii Sewer Company $97.10 $113.98 $142.62 20 Monthly Wastewater Bill Comparison Average Single-Unit Residence $0 $20 $40 $60 $80 $100 $120 $140 $160 $180 $200 $220 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 Single-Unit Residence, Water Use of 9 kgal/month COH Proposed Maui Kauai C&C HNL West Hawaii Sewer Co. 21 Thank you for your time.