Urging Marine Corps Base Hawaii To Upgrade The Capacity Of Its Sewage Treatment Plant And Redundancy Of The Components To Ensure That Final Effluent Quality Is In Compliance With State Permitting Requirements.
The resolution reflects the growing concern regarding wastewater management and environmental protection in Hawaii. Marine Corps Base Hawaii currently discharges approximately 1.5 million gallons of treated wastewater daily, which represents 10% of the total effluent going out into the ocean. By upgrading the sewage treatment facility, the base would align with the state's goals to improve water reuse for irrigation and other purposes, thereby conserving fresh water and protecting vital aquatic environments, as stipulated in the Department of Health’s Water Quality Plan.
SCR90 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution that urges Marine Corps Base Hawaii to upgrade the capacity of its sewage treatment plant and to enhance the redundancy of its components. This initiative is driven by the need to ensure that the final effluent quality adheres to state permitting requirements, particularly in light of the base’s history of exceeding bacteria limitations set by the Department of Health. The resolution emphasizes the importance of protecting water quality and human health, especially since Kailua Bay, into which the base discharges treated wastewater, is heavily used for recreational activities.
Overall, the sentiment surrounding SCR90 is supportive of increased environmental accountability and public health safety. Stakeholders, including environmental groups and local residents, have acknowledged the necessity of adherence to environmental regulations. The passage of this resolution indicates a commitment to addressing long-standing infrastructure issues and improving the overall wastewater management practices in the region. While there may not be significant opposition noted in discussions surrounding the bill, the general focus remains on the need for compliance and modernization of facilities.
A key contention arises from the historical compliance failures of the Marine Corps Base Hawaii, including multiple excesses of the effluent bacteria limitations in recent years. This highlights the urgency of the resolution and the need for a comprehensive strategy to upgrade the sewage treatment infrastructure, which has been in use since 1947. Thus, while the resolution is largely seen as a necessary and positive step forward, it underscores the challenges of maintaining environmental standards against existing infrastructural limitations and the importance of continuous investment in facility upgrades.