STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2564

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2889

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 2889 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Health to:

(1) Regulate water catchment systems and provide testing to businesses who utilize water catchment systems; and

(2) Provide technical assistance on water catchment systems and filtration to business owners who utilize captured water for business activities.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the City and County of Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, Hawaii Master Food Preservers, and six individuals. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Health. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Plumbers and Fitters United Association, Local 675.

Your Committees find that water catchment systems can supplement potable water systems, thus conserving natural water resources. In certain rural districts, water catchments is the primary or only source of water supply. Currently, water catchments are only allowed for residential use -– manufacturers are not allowed to use water collected through catchments. This measure requires the Department of Health to regulate water catchment systems for businesses and to provide them with testing and technical assistance.

Your Committees acknowledge the testimony of the Plumbers and Fitters United Association, Local 675, which recommended that water catchment rules be compliant with the State's plumbing code as it applies to water catchments.

Therefore, your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring that rules promulgated by the Department of Health regarding water catchments used by business owners comply with the State's plumbing code and chapter 448E, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

(2) Inserting an effective date of January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Water and Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2889, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2889, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Water and Land,

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair