Authorizes the issuance of $10,000,000 in general obligation bonds for repairs and improvements to the Waimanalo wastewater treatment plant to, among other things, render the plant in compliance with rules and to enable additional development in the Waimanalo area.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Waimanalo wastewater treatment plant is currently operated by the city and county of Honolulu. However, the State retains ownership and therefore is responsible for the funds to maintain the facility. The city and county of Honolulu will not take over maintenance of the facility until the State makes the necessary repairs and upgrades. Operation and maintenance inspection reports dated April 30, 2001, and April 10, 2002, indicate that although the plant is being properly maintained, the plant itself is not in compliance with rules and is subject to citations for non-compliance.

The legislature also finds that there have been back-flow problems with the injection wells due to the inadequate size of piping leading into the facility. Effluent collected during inspections has been cloudy and did not settle well in the final clarifier. This indicates that the facility is not adequately processing sewage due to the volume the plant receives. This is a public health problem and there have been spills of sewage within the facility as well as back-ups along the sewage lines.

The legislature further finds that in addition to the serious public health issues, there are development issues as well. Currently, the plant is running between seventy-one and eighty-two per cent of its capacity. Because the facility is running at near capacity, there cannot be any additional sewer line hook-ups to the plant. This means there cannot be any new developments within the Waimanalo area, a situation that seriously harms the economics of the area. There can be no growth–-no new residential homes or business developments. Waimanalo can be a wonderful residential area for new families and homeowners, but development of new residential areas is impossible without the necessary repairs and upgrades to the Waimanalo wastewater treatment plant.

The seriousness of this situation cannot be over-emphasized. With documented deficiencies, the State has been put on notice that there are serious problems with the condition of the Waimanalo wastewater treatment plant. These repairs and upgrades have been long overdue. Time is critical and public health is at stake.

The purpose of this Act is to:

SECTION 2. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $10,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary, and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2006-2007 for plans, design, and construction for repairs and improvements to the Waimanalo wastewater treatment plant on Oahu.

SECTION 3. The appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2008, shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 4. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.