STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2657
Honolulu, Hawaii
President of the Senate
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 2379 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CESSPOOLS,"
beg leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to:
(1) Require the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program, in cooperation and consultation with the Department of Health, to develop and conduct a two-year comprehensive statewide outreach program that:
(A) Provides science-based information and understanding of sewage contamination sources in nearshore marine areas; and
(B) Increases understanding of sewage capacity needs; and informs all stakeholders, including the Department of Health, of appropriate solutions that support converting all cesspools by 2050; and
(2) Require the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center to conduct research on wastewater system technologies to determine the most cost-effective way to upgrade cesspools in the State and reduce the impact of cesspools on drinking water and groundwater.
Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program, University of Hawai‘i Water Resources Research Center, one member of the Hawai‘i County Council, Department of Environmental Services of the City and County of Honolulu, Ulupono Initiative, Wastewater Alternatives and Innovations, and one individual.
Your Committees find that public health and the quality of Hawaii's drinking water, streams, ground waters, nearshore marine areas, and ocean are being harmed by water pollution from cesspools. Drinking water, public recreation, and the State's precious coral reefs, on which Hawaii's economy, shoreline, recreation, fisheries, and native species depend, are or may be harmed by such pollution. Your Committees find that action must be taken to ensure the safety of the State's precious water resources. This measure will assist in achieving this goal.
As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Higher Education that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2379 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Higher Education,
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________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair |
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________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair |
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