HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	259
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ALLOW INDIVIDUAL WASTEWATER SYSTEMS TO BE A VIABLE AND AFFORDABLE SOLUTION TO SAFELY TREAT WASTEWATER RATHER THAN REQUIRING COSTLY CONNECTION TO MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS.

WHEREAS, the cost of affordable housing continues to climb beyond the reach of many families in the State; and

WHEREAS, infrastructure development and expansion costs have prohibited many developers from constructing and providing affordable housing inventory, resulting in developments that lie idle; and

WHEREAS, the development or expansion of infrastructure, including water, wastewater, roads, and utilities has advanced slowly due to cost, environmental, and capacity issues; and

WHEREAS, sewer infrastructure and treatment plants face serious system failures, and overdue maintenance and costs to operate and maintain these facilities far exceed tax revenues earmarked for these purposes; and

WHEREAS, there are new technologies for individual wastewater systems that are environmentally supportive and have been considered an acceptable interim alternative to sewer connection by the Department of Health; and

WHEREAS, the Wastewater Branch of the Environmental Management Division, Department of Health, has regulatory oversight over the approval of individual wastewater systems and grants interim approvals, subject to renewal approval, of individual wastewater systems until connection to sewer infrastructure is available; and

WHEREAS, the costs to install, service, and maintain individual wastewater systems are a fraction of the cost for sewer connection and could feasibly reduce the cost for the initial development of affordable housing, as well as maintenance costs after the home is occupied; and

WHEREAS, with regular and proper maintenance, individual wastewater systems should be considered a primary option rather than an interim solution to sewer connection and wastewater treatment; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, that the Department of Health is urged to allow the use of individual wastewater systems as a viable and affordable solution to safely treat wastewater rather than requiring costly connection to municipal sewer treatment systems; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

DOH; Wastewater Treatment; Individual Wastewater Systems; Sewer