HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-29 Letter to Mike Gabbard re SB 2567 - Cesspool Conversion when Property is SoldiFlarry Kim
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Crattfij
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Wil Okabe
Managing Direc tor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing I )ffector
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.„ Bldg 0 • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440
January 29, 2018
Senator Mike Gabbard, Chair
Committee on Agriculture and Environment
Hawaii State Capitol', Room 224
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair Gabbard and Committee Members:
Re: SB 2567 Requiring cesspool conversion when a property is sold
Hearing Date: 01/31/18 — 1:15 pm; Conference Room 224
At a fime when ome ownership, or perhaps any housing, is financially out of
reach for many in Hawaii, 1 would urge the Legislature to avoid imposing new
obligations that could boost the price of our housing stock. Therefore, 1 would urge a
"No vote on 5: 2567.
The "no" position is further justified, in my opinion, by the fact that there is
ongoing controversy concerning what individual wastewater systems (MS) are
appropriate for a cesspool replacement. It is clear that encouraging homeowners to
connect to sewers can occur only where there are sewers. With the County of Hawaii's
(C01-1) large land area, coul led with the nature of its substrate (lava), sewering the
COH is not a financially viable option.
This fact akes the identification and availability of appropriate IWS of
paraL ount importance for the future of this program. The most cost effective, rDOH
approved, alternative to cesspools in Hawaii is a Septic System. equiring the
replacement of one ineffective IWS (cesspools) with a different IWS that is not effective
(septic tanks) will result in a doubly negative economic impact on the citizens of this
state because the only realistic replacement system (septic tanks) does not improve our
environment. This topic was discussed when the Hawaii Department of Health (HD01-1)
presented the cesspool report to the Energy and Environment Committee in Honolulu
on January 10, 2018. The fact that septic systems do not remove nutrients from the
waste stream, a critical proolem where coral and ocean waters require protection,
constitutes one major issue with septic system replacements for cesspools.
A separate issue is that having S: 2567 become effective on December 31,
2018 does not provide either HDOH or an existing homeowner time to adequately
prepare for this new requirement. The process of establishing administrative rules for
exemptions or to establish financial aid legislation or rules within the next 8 months is
County of 1 lawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
January 29, 2018
Page 2
inadequate and will result in a negative impact on low and middle income families.
Enactment of such an imposition on current homeowners ought not to occur for at least
10 years, so if this proposed legislation is enacted, it is strongly urged to take effect no
earlier than December 31, 2028. This delay would allow HDO to investigate
alternative IWS and appropriate treatment standards for home IWS replacements for
cesspools.
Finally, I recognize and appreciate that SI: 2567 provides for a waiver of the
conversion requirement under certain circumstances. However, if it is determined that
this bill must move forward, then it is recommended that it be amended to require
conversion only in those geographic areas where there has been a determination that
drinking water, public recreation, or coral reefs are at imminent risk of harm.
Thank you for your consideration.
R pec fully subm itted,
Harry
Mayor, County of Hawaii
County of Hawaii 1S an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.