The legislation empowers counties to establish monthly or annual fees on both commercial and residential property owners utilizing cesspools. Importantly, property owners who have upgraded their cesspools to advanced septic systems or aerobic treatment units will be exempt from these fees. The revenue generated from these fees will flow into a newly created cesspool conversion fund, aimed at incentivizing cesspool conversions for low and middle-income residents and assisting counties with mitigating cesspool-related pollution efforts. This marks a significant shift in how waste management is viewed and financed in Hawaii, aiming for greater environmental protection.
SB2802 addresses the significant issue of cesspools in Hawaii, where approximately eighty thousand cesspools are reported to leach harmful contaminants into the state's freshwater aquifers and marine environments. This pollution poses health risks, increasing bacterial levels in drinking water and rendering certain streams and beaches unsafe for recreational activities. The bill responds to concerns about fairness, as homeowners linked to municipal sewer systems incur costs for maintaining proper waste disposal, while cesspool owners contribute nothing to the cleanup efforts stemming from their environmental impact.
The main contention surrounding SB2802 involves its implications for homeowners with cesspools versus those who have invested in proper sewer systems. Proponents argue that the bill addresses environmental justice by making cesspool users contribute to both cleanup and infrastructure improvements. Critics, however, might see the new fees as an additional burden on cesspool owners, particularly affecting low-income families who may struggle with conversion costs. The balance between environmental responsibility and economic fairness is central to ongoing discussions regarding the bill.