HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-27 EMC Meeting Agenda and Director's Informational Report
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI
MEETING AGENDA
DATE: February 27, 2019
TIME: 9:00 a.m.
PLACE: West Hawaiʻi Civic Center
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway
Community Hale (Building G)
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 23, 2019
3. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS
4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a Chair’s update on water sustainability and water quality white paper and plans.
b. Status of subcommittee’s draft recommendations to the legislature on water
reuse policy.
c. Commissioner Gaffney report on the interconnections of bills in the legislature
on cesspit closure, individual home waste management, and reuse.
d. Review the Commission’s table of Motions, Policy Recommendations, and Various
Requests and discuss follow-up.
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Introduction of Councilmember Tim Richards, Chair of the County Council’s
Committee on Agriculture, Water, Energy, and Environmental Management.
b. Discussion on the Commission’s monthly meeting schedule and length of meetings.
c. Proposal to change Hawaiʻi County Code Section 2-207, which states that the
Commission has a 45-day review period to submit comments and recommendations
on legislation relating to the functions and duties of the Department of
Environmental Management to the County Council, and that failure to act within the
45-day review period shall be considered as an unfavorable recommendation.
d. Proposal to form standing committees by county regions, east and west.
e. Discuss strategies and options to develop users of reclaimed water from the
Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant.
f. Discuss status of Uniform Plumbing Code adoption and making a recommendation
to the County Council.
6. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE
a. Chair’s report on a community presentation to be held on vacuum-operated
sewer systems. The presentation will be held on March 12, 2019, at 10:00 a.m.
at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, Building G.
b. Director’s Informational Report. (Note: The report and agenda are posted
online on the County Calendar and on the County’s website under Boards and
Commissions, Environmental Management Commission
(http://records.co.hawaii.hi.us/weblink/Browse.aspx?startid=8405&dbid=1).
The Director will provide informational updates on the following:
(1) Status of Bill 210, which proposes to increase wastewater water service
charge rates to cover the costs of providing the services.
(2) Status of the proposed Pāhala and Nāāʻlehu Wastewater Treatment Plants.
As the County of Hawaiʻi is being sued (Sandra L. Demoruelle v. Dora Beck et
al., Civil No. 18-1-00206), discussion of the Pāhala and Nāālehu projects ʻ
will be limited.
(3) Status of the polystyrene educational program.
(4) Status of Kealakehe WWTP effluent R-1 upgrade.
(5) Testimony submitted to the State Legislature in support of eight bills so far.
7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Commissioners can suggest items they would like placed on the next agenda.
8. ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next meeting is scheduled for March 27, 2019, at the Aging and Disability
Resource Center at 1055 Kinoʻole Street, Hilo, Hawaiʻi (in the Training/Conference
Room).
9. ADJOURNMENT
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The regular meeting place is accessible to persons with disabilities. To request an auxiliary aid or
language translation, please call 961-8083 five days prior to the meeting date. Comments may be
sent to the Department of Environmental Management, 345 Kekūanāoʻa Street, Suite 41, Hilo, Hawaiʻi
96720, or emailed to cohdem@hawaiicounty.gov.
Notice to lobbyists: If you are a lobbyist, you must register with the Hawaiʻi County Clerk within ?ive days
of becoming a lobbyist. \[Article 15, Section 2-91.3(b), Hawaiʻi County Code.\] A lobbyist means “any
individual engaged for pay or other consideration who spends more than five hours in any month or $275
in any six-month period for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or administrative action by
communicating or urging others to communicate with public officials.” \[Article 15, Section 2-91.3(a)(6),
Hawaiʻi County Code.\] Registration forms and expenditure report documents are available at the Of?ice of
the County Clerk-Council, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720.
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DIRECTOR’S INFORMATIONAL REPORT
TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 27, 2019
CURRENT LEGISLATION
ITEM DESCRIPTION CURRENT STATUS
Bill 210 Bill 210 proposes to increase wastewater 2/20/19: Council amended
service charge rates to cover the costs of bill to spread increase over
providing the services. The increases 5 years. Passed second
will reduce the Wastewater Division’s reading.
dependence on the General Fund and
provide for improved maintenance and
repair of the facilities.
DIRECTOR’S INFORMATIONAL UPDATES
1. Status of Bill 210, which proposes to increase wastewater water service charge rates to
cover the costs of providing the services. (See Current Legislation above and amended
bill in packet).
2. Status of the proposed Pāhala and Nāālehu Wastewater Treatment Plants. As the ʻ
County of Hawaiʻi is being sued (Sandra L. Demoruelle v. Dora Beck et al., Civil No. 18-1-
00206), discussion of the Pāhala and Nāālehu projects will be limited.ʻ
3. Status of the polystyrene educational program (see Powerpoint presented to the County
Council’s Agriculture, Water, Energy, and Environmental Management Committee on
2/19/19, included in packet).
4. Status of Kealakehe WWTP effluent R-1 upgrade.
5. Submitted testimony to the State Legislature in support of eight bills at the time of this
report (see bills in packet).
SOLID WASTE DIVISION PROJECTS AND UPDATES
1. OPERATIONS
A. WEST HAWAI‘I SANITARY LANDFILL:
Waste Management Hawai’i (WMH) installed the liner system for cell 12. We are
waiting for acceptance from DOH to begin placement of select waste in this cell.
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B. EQUIPMENT
Rental equipment was being used at both WHSL and SHSL due to equipment repairs
that are ongoing.
2. ADMINISTRATION
• SWD conducted interviews for vacant Equipment Operator III positions. Candidates
accepted positions offered, and most were filled by existing Solid Waste Facility
Attendants (SWFAs), which means we are now in recruitment to fill SWFA
vacancies.
• A meeting was held on January 17, 2019, at the Waimea Community Center, which
discussed additional landfill related items. These issues included the Special
Handling Guidelines as well as Personal Protective Equipment Guidelines. Another
meeting is expected to take place in April.
• SWD held a meeting on January 22, 2019, at the Aupuni Center Conference Room,
which discussed what effects the new East Hawaiʻi Sort Sta?on guidelines will have
on the users of the facility. SWD plans to have additional informational meetings in
the upcoming months so as to provide accurate information to the users of the Sort
Station.
• SWD held a public information meeting in conjunction with Councilwoman Maile
David, which discussed the operating days for the Pāhala Transfer Station. This
meeting took place on January 29, 2019, in the Pāhala Community Center. Another
meeting has been scheduled to further this discussion on March 19, 2019, at the
Pahala Community Center starting at 5:30 p.m.
3. SOLID WASTE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
• The Environmental Assessment for the upcoming East Hawaiʻi Organics Facility sited
at the Shipman Business Park in Keaʻau has been completed, and a finding of no
significant impact (FONSI) was reached. SWD is attempting to set up a meeting
with Shipman Ltd. to discuss terms for this site.
• The contract for the Waiohinu Transfer Station work has been signed. Design work
has begun for this project.
• Signage has been posted on the highway for construction of a new transfer station
in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. The contractor is expected to begin work in the
State highway right-of-way in the next month.
• A second pre-bid meeting was held for the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill closure
project on February 6, 2019. Bids open for this project on February 28, 2019.
4. RECYCLING SECTION
A. ORGANICS DIVERSION PROGRAM:
The Amended and Restated Service Agreement for greenwaste and composting
services was approved and accepted by both Hawaiian Earth Recycling and the
County during September 2018.
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B. INTEGRATED SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE:
The 2019 update of the County of Hawaiʻi Integrated Solid Waste Management
Plan (ISWMP) will be prepared in compliance with Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (HRS)
Chapter 342G, which requires counties in the state to update and revise their
solid waste management plans every 10 years. The last update to the County of
Hawai‘i’s ISWMP was completed in 2009.
The update to the ISWMP will include an evaluation of local needs and
conditions to determine the most effective combined strategy for managing solid
waste while protecting human health and the environment. The plan will outline
the components of an effective solid waste management strategy and identify
short- and long-term goals, while providing a framework for implementation.
As required by HRS Chapter 342G, Mayor Kim appointed members to the Solid
Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC). The County’s SWAC is comprised of eight
members and has been meeting monthly. Input from SWAC members during the
ISWMP update process is crucial to ensure that the completed plan effectively
identifies and addresses the County of Hawai‘i’s unique solid waste challenges.
C. TRANSFER STATION RECYCLABLES (“TWO-BIN”) COLLECTION AND RECYCLING:
The current contract will end on September 30, 2019. Starting December 1,
2018, a new acceptable list of recyclables was implemented. Plastic bottles, jugs
and jars with resin codes #1 and #2 are acceptable. All #5 plastics and all plastic
covers/lids/caps are no longer acceptable due to changing worldwide market
conditions.
A recycling program education and outreach campaign has been developed. The
campaign will include new flyers and pamphlets along with radio, TV and
newspaper ads to educate the public on what is and is not currently recyclable,
and discourage contamination. In addition, new bin signage was finalized and
forwarded for production. SWD is now enforcing the ban on illegal commercial
usage of self-haul resident-only recycling bins at recycling and transfer stations.
Commercial generators/collectors should work directly with recycling companies
to manage recyclables, as they are prohibited from the recycling and transfer
stations. Redesign of the Hilo site is proposed to better handle traffic and
customers. SWD is working with the vendor to repair ramps.
D. DO-IT-YOURSELF (DIY) USED MOTOR OIL RECYCLING:
• A Used Motor Oil Campaign has been developed. The campaign includes
flyers and newspaper and radio ads. The newspaper ad will be printed three
times in February in both the West Hawaiʻi Today and the Hawai‘i Tribune-
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Herald. Radio ads will play on four media groups during the month of
February.
• Forms B-202 and the ERC were completed on January 3, 2019, to have
available funds transferred for the purchase of UMO containment units to
replace damaged units and to add one new UMO site.
• IFB 3725 was awarded to Hawai‘i Petroleum and expires on August 31, 2019.
The NTP was issued on September 24, 2018.
• A list of island-wide year-round collection locations (six) is on our website at
http://www.Hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/motor-oil. Residents can also
recycle DIY used motor oil at all County Household Hazardous Waste
Collection Events. Used motor oil (UMO) is not accepted at the recycling
and transfer stations. The DOH ended funding of the program in FY2015.
DEM funded the continuation of the UMO program in the FY2018 Budget.
E. REUSE CENTERS:
• RFP 3693 resulted in contract award to Transfer Station Thrift Store LLC for
all seven locations.
• The County operates seven Reuse Centers at Recycling and Transfer Stations
located in Hilo, Kea‘au, Pāhoa, Kealakehe, Keauhou, Waimea, and
Wai‘ōhinu.
F. ELECTRONICS RECYCLING:
• The IFB 3514 contract with Mr. K’s R&R expires April 17, 2019. Mr. K’s has
indicated agreement to an extension.
• Residents are allowed no-charge household electronics recycling on
Saturdays at Mr. K’s R&R. Businesses, non-profits, schools, and others are
offered discounted fees on Saturdays. An acceptable list and more
information is at http://hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/e-waste. Mr. K’s is
open and accepting electronics daily.
• The County provides free monthly electronic recycling collections in Hilo,
Kona, Waimea and Wai‘ōhinu for residential electronics only. Details of the
County collections and any changes to private collections will be posted on
our website at http://hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/e-waste.
• Currently, no manufacturer offers convenient on-island take-back of
electronics. Manufacturers only offer this convenience on O‘ahu to comply
with the Electronic Waste and Television Recycling & Recovery Act
mandatory take-back provisions. A stronger EPR law requiring convenient
on-island manufacturer sponsored take-back should be considered. The
DOH awarded the County grant funding in FY2019, partially reimbursing
SWD electronics recycling expenditures.
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G. HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE (HHW):
• The next HHW Collection Events are scheduled for March 2, 2019, in
Waimea and March 3, 2019, in Pāhoa. More information is available at
http://www.hazardouswaste.org/recycle/household-hazardous-waste/.
• December 2018 events were very successful with increased turnout.
H. GREEN WASTE DIVERSION:
• The State Department of Agriculture finalized a permanent rule (HAR § 4-72-
13) prohibiting the interisland transport of ‘ōhi‘a plant material to prevent
the spread of Rapid Ōhiʽʽa Death caused by Ceratocystis lukuohia or
Ceratocystis huliohia. They also recommend not transporting ‘ōhi‘a plant
material from an infected area to a non-infected area. DEM has
recommended that people not bring any ‘ōhi‘a plant material to our
greenwaste collection sites and recommends composting on-site.
• The County’s contract with Hawaiian Earth Recycling continues greenwaste
recycling. Enhanced mulch is available at the East Hawai‘i Organics Facility.
The mulch is treated for invasive species at EHOF since the modified State
Department of Health permit was issued. SWD relocated the greenwaste
recycling at the Waimea Recycling and Transfer Station to make it more
convenient for residents.
I. SCHOOL RECYCLING AND TOURS:
• Requests for school and HCC/UHH tours of SWD facilities continue. Many
are scheduled in April to coincide with Earth Day. These tours are helpful in
educating the next generation on recycling and sustainability. Several tours
have already taken place for various schools island wide.
J. SPECIAL EVENT RECYCLING:
• The Recycling Section continues to offer free rental HI-5 Event Recycling Bins
for fundraisers at community, sports or family events. Bins can be requested
via an online application form at http://www.hawaiizerowaste.org/event-
planning. Please submit applications for reservations well in advance of events
to make sure bins are available and to schedule pick-up/drop-off. The
www.hawaiizerowaste.org website also provides helpful resources for planning
zero-waste events.
K. HI-5 CERTIFIED REDEMPTION CENTERS (CRCs)
• On October 26, 2018, the State Department of Health made a determination
on plastic bottles caps. The public now needs to remove the caps on the
bottles if redeeming by weight. This is pursuant to Hawaiʻi Administra?ve
Rules § 11-282-61, wherein caps should not be included when redeeming by
weight.
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• On December 21, 2018, the State Department of Health approved the ad
that the County will run in the newspapers to educate the public of the No
Caps change. The following ad appeared in the Hawaiʻi Tribune-Herald and
West Hawaiʻi Today on December 23, 26, 28, and 30, 2018:
L. RECYCLING EDUCATION AND OUTREACH:
• The Recycling Section’s website, www.hawaiizerowaste.org, completed its
transition to a mobile-ready format with enhanced location features. The
Recycling Section is researching upgrades to the website to improve
functionality and customer experience.
• Information is continually updated on the site.
• Staff continues to give presentations to community organizations. The
st
biggest event will be the 31 Earth Day Fair at UH-Hilo on April 26, 2019,
where hundreds of students will be attending.
• Out of the Sea Media Arts received a contract as a result of professional
services procurement for Recycling Education Program Development
services. The contractor is developing various education campaigns for
UMO, the polystyrene food service ware ban, and a general update to
recycling.
M. TIRE RECOVERY/RECYCLING EDUCTION AND OUTREACH:
• The contractor completed the third round one-year follow-up of tire
retailer/wholesaler education and site inspections, educating tire retailers/
wholesalers of their responsibility to charge a disposal fee for tires sold to,
and to accept used tires from, customers when tires are being replaced.
Two-year follow-up site visits are planned for April 2019.
• The contractor completed an initial and second round of consumer
education (media release, radio, newspaper, social media, posters/flyers,
etc.) during September through December 2017, encouraging consumers to
leave used tires at the retailer when purchasing new ones, as customers
already paid the mandatory fee for disposal.
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• More information is at: http://www.hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/tires/
5. DERELICT AND ABANDONED VEHICLE (DAV) PROGRAM
• Towing and Vehicle Disposal Contracts are in place island-wide.
ᵒ Zone 1 Towing (N. and S. Hilo, Puna, and parts of Kaūʻ): Ken’s Towing
ᵒ Zone 2 Towing (N. and S. Kona and parts of Kaū): Diamond Auto Workzʻ
ᵒ Zone 3 Towing (N. and S. Kohala and Hāmākua): Diamond Auto Workz
st
ᵒ Hilo Vehicle Disposal: HMP dba Business Services Hawaiʻi - exercising 1 option
year extension. NTP 1/19/19
ᵒ Kona Vehicle Disposal: Big Island Scrap Metal. Expires 3/19/19; contract is out
for rebid, closing date 2/22/19.
ᵒ Pu‘uanahulu (W. Hawaiʻi) Vehicle Disposal: Big Island Scrap Metal. Expires
3/19/19; contract is out for rebid, closing date 2/22/19.
• DAV coordinators continue to meet with the Hawaiʻi Police Department, Traffic
Services Section, to explore ways of improving the tagging and removal of
abandoned vehicles.
• An auction for abandoned vehicles was held in December.
ᵒ Total cars auctioned: 47
ᵒ Total cars sold: 27
ᵒ Total sales: $19,767
ᵒ Cost savings: 27 cars x $675 = $18,225 (this is what it would have cost the
County if we had to dispose of them).
• Monthly towing numbers:
AV Towing 2018-19
Hilo W. Hawai‘i
July 2018 23 58
Aug 2018 31 61
Sept 2018 89 61
Oct 2018 71 45
Nov 2018 60 58
Dec 2018 46 58
Jan 2019 66 61
Feb 2019
Mar 2019
Apr 2019
May 2019
June 2019
July 2019
The total tow request sent for the month of January 2019 was 140; however, 13 vehicles
were not on location at the time of arrival.
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6. SORT STATION UPDATE (FY 18-19)
Total Tons Taken Total Tons
Month/Year to Sort Station Diverted
Jul 2018 1,350.04 0.00
Aug 2018 1,895.74 0.00
Sept 2018 1,167.65 0.00
Oct 2018 1,982.18 0.00
Nov 2018 1,558.75 0.00
Dec 2018 1,277.18 0.00
Jan 2019 1,440.25 0.00
Feb 2019
Mar 2019
Apr 2019
May 2019
Jun 2019
Totals 10,671.79 0.00
Per the Solid Waste Division, Total Tons Diverted has been zero for some time because
they have not been conducting active sorting. Much of this is due to the storage of tires
in the Sort Station collected during the dengue outbreak. Waste is received at the Sort
Station early in the day, then the remainder is sent to the landfill. Just recently is the
SWD at the point where they have enough space in the sort station to receive waste.
7. MONTHLY LANDFILL TONNAGES (FY 18-19)
Month/Year SHSL WHSL
Jul 2018 6,141.14 14,593.45
Aug 2018 6,411.82 13,824.53
Sept 2018 6,184.31 13,558.78
Oct 2018 6,335.40 12,149.22
Nov 2018 5,985.36 16,512.28
Dec 2018 6,399.42 11,499.00
Jan 2019 6,487.81 11,468.86
Feb 2019
Mar 2019
Apr 2019
May 2019
Jun 2019
Totals 43,945.26 93,606.12
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8. MONTHLY TRANSFER STATION TONNAGES (FY 18-19)
Month/Year SHSL WHSL
Jul 2018 3,422.47 4,434.41
Aug 2018 3,448.69 4,206.27
Sept 2018 3,373.07 4,100.10
Oct 2018 3,342.37 4,252.90
Nov 2018 3,271.14 3,942.70
Dec 2018 3,548.18 3,924.22
Jan 2019 3,546.36 3,898.19
Feb 2019
Mar 2019
Apr 2019
May 2019
Jun 2019
Totals 23,952.28 28,758.79
The above table is to include data on the waste disposed of in the landfill (not the
greenwaste or recycling data).
WASTEWATER DIVISION PROJECTS AND UPDATES
1. COMPLIANCE
• TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL:
1/28/19: The Kealakehe WWTP experienced a 100-gallon spill from the influent line
due to a downed bar screen. The bar screen was promptly repaired and brought
back online.
1/12/19: The Kulaimano WWTP experienced a spill of approximately 300 gallons of
influent in the parking lot outside of the headworks building. The drain on the grit
auger had plugged and overflowed the dam area of the auger. The flow was
contained onsite within the immediate area of the headworks building.
• COLLECTION SYSTEM: No report.
2. OPERATIONS
A. TREATMENT/COLLECTION SYSTEMS AND PUMPING STATIONS/ FORCE MAINS:
• Unscheduled repairs/upgrades/replacement of failing equipment due to age
and prolonged wear and tear continue where necessary throughout the
wastewater facilities.
B. SAFETY PRACTICES/TRAINING:
• WWD Administration continues to review and update the Emergency
Response Procedures and the Standard Safety Procedures and the weekly
safety meeting agendas.
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3. ADMINISTRATION
A. VACANT POSITIONS IN OPERATIONS:
• Temporary Trades Helper (Kona – 1 position; Hilo – 1 position): recruitment
in progress
• Sewer Maintenance Repairer (Kona – 1 temp and 1 permanent position):
recruitment in progress
• Operator I (Hilo - 1 position): recruitment in progress.
• Operator II (Hilo - 1 position): recruitment in progress.
• Operator III (Kona – 1 position): recruitment in progress
• Operator IV (Hilo - 1 position): recruitment in progress.
• Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor III (Kona – 1 position): recruitment
in progress.
• Superintendent of Operations (Hilo): recruitment in progress
B. VACANT POSITIONS AT RAILROAD OFFICE:
• Wastewater Deputy Division Chief: recruitment in progress.
• Wastewater Project Manager: recruitment in progress.
4. WASTEWATER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
A. NĀ‘ĀLEHU LARGE CAPACITY CESSPOOL REPLACEMENT:
• Exclusion of necessary acreage on Waikapuna land for ongoing
consideration as a future WWTP/Disposal was passed by BLNR. Final land
selection is still in progress.
• Public outreach meetings are to be scheduled after completion of the
comment period for the Pāhala Draft EA.
• The State EA process is to be completed prior to purchase of land for the
treatment/disposal facility.
• Closure of the large capacity cesspools as mandated by the EPA will occur
once the treatment and disposal system has been constructed and
properties have been connected to the new collection system.
• The project is planned for funding with Clean Water State Revolving Funds
(CWSRF) monies.
B. PĀHALA LARGE CAPACITY CESSPOOL REPLACEMENT:
• Responses to comments on the draft EA continue to progress.
• The draft EA was re-submitted (unchanged) on 10/26/18 for publication on
11/8/18 in order to extend the comment period to 12/10/18 in response to
public request during the initial comment period.
• As a result of EPA funding for this project, the NEPA process in addition to
the State EA process are required. Both processes are to be completed prior
to selection of land for the treatment/disposal facility.
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• Closure of the large capacity cesspools as mandated by the EPA will occur
once the treatment and disposal system has been constructed and
properties have been connected to the new collection system.
• The project is planned for funding with Clean Water State Revolving Funds
(CWSRF) monies and partially by a federal EPA grant.
C. LONO KONA SEWER IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT:
• Construction Notice to Proceed (NTP) was issued on 12/20/18.
• Construction is scheduled to begin the last week of February 2019.
• Project is scheduled to be substantially complete by 9/6/19.
• USDA Rural Development has obligated loan and grant funds of $2,437,000
and $4,024,800 respectively to this project. DEM is working with USDA to
finalize a subsequent loan of $3,699,000 and subsequent grant of
$1,071,000. Low construction bid received was $8,531,814.43.
D. KEALAKEHE AERATION UPGRADE AND SLUDGE REMOVAL:
• Final approval of the project will be issued pending the review and
acceptance of all close-out documents.
• Final invoice from the contractor was received on 1/3/19 and is being
processed by WWD.
• The final change order is being processed.
• The project is funded by CWSRF monies.
E. KEALAKEHE WWTP EFFLUENT R-1 UPGRADE:
• The environmental process for the R-1 system is ongoing. A draft EIS is
anticipated to be published in mid-February 2019 followed by a 45-day
comment period.
• 90% plans are to be submitted to the WWD by 4/19/19.
• The long-range plans for R-1 quality effluent began in 2007 as a phased
approach. Phase I, which installs a reuse line between the Kohanaiki area
and Kealakehe Parkway, is planned under the State DOT’s Phase II Queen
Ka‘ahumanu Highway Project (see item C above).
• DOH has earmarked SRF monies in the amount of $54 million to fund both
design and construction of the R-1 upgrade at the Kealakehe WWTP.
F. NORTH KONA SEWER PUMP STATION
• This new sewer pump station will be located on the mauka side of Queen
Kaʻahamanu Highway. It is to receive wastewater from a por?on of the area
below Ane Keohokalole Highway between Hina Lani Street and Kealakehe
Parkway. The wastewater will be pumped to the Kealakehe WWTP via new
forcemains. The new sewer pump station is scheduled to be complete July
2022.
• The pre-design phase, including the archaeological and permitting
assessments, has begun. The Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) is in
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process and will be submitted to WWD by 3/22/19. Once the design
concept is determined, a follow-up meeting will be scheduled with Hawaiian
cultural groups and archaeologists to discuss impacts to the Māmalahoa
Trail.
G. WASTEWATER EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT PROJECTS:
• Pua Sewage Pump Station (SPS) Upgrade: Design items for additional
upgrades needed besides pump replacement at the Pua SPS is being worked
into the contract. It includes a complete renovation to include the
structural, electrical, and mechanical upgrades to the pump station. Cause
for renovation is due to deterioration of the wet well from H2S; electrical
component damage due to H2S corrosion and the overall age of the facility;
and mechanical damage due to faulty discharge line valves due to hydraulic
surging. Work is to include upgrading the HVAC; replacing/upgrading
components of the electrical system; replacing corroded duct work;
upgrading the wet well level control system; and improving on safety issues
by eliminating fire and electrical hazards to achieve compliance with NFPA
820 and 70E. The project is funded by CWSRF monies.
• ZOM Dilution and Assimilative Capacity Study: The Pāpa‘ikou Study was
finalized on 11/28/18 and submitted with the NPDES permit renewal for the
facility on 11/29/18. The Kulaʻimano draft study was submitted on 11/1/18.
The Hilo draft study will be finalized for submittal with the NPDES permit
renewal that is due 3/19/19.
H. ULU WINI WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT:
• WWD continues to maintain stability of the treatment plant with the goal of
achieving consistent process data and meeting the regulatory as well as
expected effluent limits. The treatment system currently meets DOH
regulatory requirements, and nutrient removal is taking place. The longer
term goal being considered is to install a gravity sewer line in Hina Lani
Street that connects to the existing dry sewer in Queen Ka`ahumanu
Highway as part of the North Kona Sewer Pump Station project. The Ulu
Wini Housing community would connect to the gravity line and the existing
Kaloko WWTP would be decommissioned.
• State DOH is being kept apprised of the progress.
I. SEWER RATE STUDY UPDATE:
• Bill for ordinance for a sewer rate increase was heard by the County Council
on 2/5/19. Second reading is scheduled for 2/20/19.
J. UPDATE ON WATER SHUT-OFF FOR NON PAYMENT OF SEWER BILLS:
• DEM is currently drafting administrative rules for the implementation of
water shut-off for non-payment of sewer fees. The Department of Water
Supply (DWS) is also drafting amendments to its rules to allow for water
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shut-off due to non-payment of sewer fees. Both DEM and DWS rules need
to be amended for the water shut-off to be implemented. In the meantime,
we continue to work with delinquent customers to bring their accounts
current and refer accounts to the Office of the Corporation Counsel to
pursue judgments when necessary.
K. FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY PLAN/ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
• PG Environmental has completed the data collection for all of the critical
assets. The next deliverable will be the Draft Condition Based Assessment
due in March 2018.
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