HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-06-19 Statuis of Propose Naalehu Water Treatment Plant -- press release
June 19, 2018
PRESS RELEASE
Status of Proposed Nāālehu Wastewater Treatment Plant‛
The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requiring the County of Hawai‛i to close
Large Capacity Cesspools (LCC) in Pāhala and Nāālehu. The County Department of ‛
Environmental Management (DEM) currently operates three LCCs in Nāālehu. Untreated ‛
wastewater from Nā’ālehu cesspools is currently disposed directly into the ground. This
disposal method is a potential health hazard, and harms the environment on many levels.
DEM is working to find the best replacement technology and a suitable location for a new
wastewater treatment plant. The current proposed technology is an environment-friendly
option that fully complies with regulatory requirements that help protect our precious ground
and ocean water quality. It is a low- energy natural process that will treat wastewater in
lagoons and then in a subsurface wetland, after which the treated water will be used for
irrigation of native tree groves introduced specifically for this purpose. This process will be low
maintenance and monitored to ensure quality control.
Concurrent with technological explorations has been the search for suitable sites. This is a
complex process. There are several factors that need to be considered, such as potential
impacts to significant archaeological and cultural resources, soil quality, the presence of
drinking water wells, and other environmental factors. Location also impacts ratepayers. Long
transmission distance and the need to pump wastewater uphill for treatment can impose
significant costs.
Public input is factored into project planning, including site selection. DEM recently started
extensive community outreach programs in Nāālehu ‛(and Pāhala) to share current project
information, answer questions, and listen to people’s reactions. In these outreach activities,
the project team continually stresses that it is early in the formal review process. Specifics
about technology and sites are not finalized. Required environmental studies have not yet
been completed, and DEM Director William Kucharski stresses that: “Preliminary designs for
these potential sites were prepared to elicit comments, commence dialogue and satisfy
obligations in the EPA Administrative Order and Consent.”
Interviews and talk story sessions were held in Nāālehu in early April. About a hundred people ‛
participated. They expressed strong concerns about the site that was presented at these
gatherings. To date, over 30 sites have been evaluated and the site selection process
continues. “No property may be purchased before an Environmental Assessment / Impact
Statement has been fully completed,” Director Kucharski said. The EA/EIS process provides
opportunities for community review and comments. A proposed final draft EA has not yet been
published for the Nāālehu‛ project.
DEM will conduct a second round of community outreach as the Department prepares and
finalizes the required environmental studies. Mahalo for your continued interest and patience as
DEM explores the best solutions to meet the wastewater needs of the Nāālehu‛ community.
For further information, please contact Rana Rodillas at (808) 961-8615.