MEDIA RELEASE
The Department of Health (DOH) has initiated the process to accept written comments and hold a public hearing on proposed changes to Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR), Chapter 11-62, Wastewater Systems.
Proposed changes include prohibiting the installation of new cesspools and requiring connections or upgrades of existing cesspools to septic systems within 180 days after sale of property.
A list of all proposed changes is available at: http://health.hawaii.gov/wastewater/files/2014/08/11-62_rationale.pdf
A public hearing was held Oct. 2 on Oahu with videoconferencing to the outer islands.
Due to many concerns voiced by residents on all islands, the Public Comment period has been extended to Friday, Oct. 17, 2014.
In addition, DOH will be holding public informational meetings on the Neighbor Islands to discuss the proposed administrative rule changes at the following locations.
Written comments will be accepted by DOH at these meetings.
* KAUAI: Monday, Oct. 6, at 5 p.m. at the Kauai District Health Office conference room, 3040 Umi St., Lihue
* KONA: Thursday, Oct. 9, at 5 p.m. at the West Hawaii Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Kailua-Kona
* MOLOKAI: Friday, Oct. 10, at 5 p.m. at the Kaunakakai Gymnasium at 180 Ala Malama St., Kaunakakai
* MAUI: Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 6 p.m. at the Council Chambers, 8th Floor of Kalana O Maui Building., 200 S. High St., Wailuku
* HILO: Thursday, Oct. 16, at 5 p.m., Aupuni Center, 101 Pauahi St., Suite 1, Hilo
For more information on the community meetings schedule, contact the Wastewater Branch at (808) 586-4294.
It’s a good idea to change over to septic systems for the vast majority that live in the rural areas of our island which goes a long way in the reduction of human waste directly into surrounding ground with potential of ground water contamination.
The plan to require the change over allows buyers the understanding that the price they pay for a home may now have an additional price of septic upgrade and can therefore adjust what they pay to consider the additional costs.
The elephant in the room however is the lack of sewer system in our existing towns. Sewer hook up and availability not septic tanks should be a higher priority in our towns than that of rural areas although both need addressing. Maybe if we raised the minimum property tax of the vast majority on the east siders who get the minimum property tax charge we could expand sewer systems to all those areas that currently have none yet are heavily populated
Totally against these changes. There needs to be state subsidies to assist owners with upgrades to existing systems. But I don’t see anyone proposing that with my current tax dollars I pay the state. This proposal is just another form of taxation on the backs of farmers and those who live in rural areas.
These proposed changes are good for the environment. However, the state should try to encourage them by tax relief, rather than by a stick.
They have failed to explain the cost and what will happen with the thousands of small lots that are vacant, but already approved as lots, like Ocean View and Kona Paradise. They are likely too small for septic systems. There are too many lots for a central system. The state should be ready to buy these lots if they want to make such a drastic change.