ADVISORY House, Senate committee briefing on cesspool report
Posted on Jan 9, 2018 in Latest Department NewsMEDIA ADVISORY–HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE
January 9, 2018 – For immediate release
Senate Contact: Jill Kuramoto 808-586-6261
[email protected]
House Contact: Carolyn Tanaka 808-381-7752, 808-586-6133
[email protected]
HOUSE, SENATE COMMITTEES TO HOLD INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING ON HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S CESSPOOL REPORT
WHO: Rep. Chris Lee, Chair, House Energy & Environmental Protection Committee
Rep. John M. Mizuno, Chair, House Health & Human Services Committee
Sen. Mike Gabbard, Chair, Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee
Sen. Rosalyn H. Baker, Chair, Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection and Health Committee
WHAT: Joint House, Senate informational briefing on the State Department of Health’s cesspool report
WHEN: Wednesday, January 10
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: State Capitol
415 S. Beretania Street
Conference Room 423
The purpose of this informational briefing is to update the public and legislators on the report to the Legislature from the Department of Health, “Relating to Cesspools and Prioritization for Replacement.”
There are 88,000 cesspools in Hawaii, more than any other state, which release about 55 million gallons of untreated sewage into the ground every day. The DOH report identifies 14 priority areas where upgrades are needed including Kahaluu.
The state banned new cesspools last year and law requires that all cesspools be eliminated by 2050. The Health Department estimates that it will cost $1.75 billion, or about $20,000 each to fix and lawmakers are looking to come up with a way to fund the project.
Presentations will be made by:
•Department of Health
•Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology
•City & County of Honolulu
•County of Hawaii
•County of Kauai
•County of Maui
•Paepae o Heeia
No public testimony will be accepted.
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James Gonser
Assistant Director of Communications
Hawaii House of Representatives – Majority
Office: 808-587-7242
[email protected]