The core of HB1586 lies in its directive for the Department of Health to conduct a feasibility study for establishing a wastewater treatment works project in Waialua. This study will evaluate the potential for neighborhoods to connect to existing sewer systems, starting with the community of Ranch Camp. The findings from this study are expected to provide a structured pathway towards addressing cesspool conversion, thus contributing to the protection and regulation of water resources mandated by the Hawaii State Constitution.
House Bill 1586 addresses the significant environmental and public health risks posed by the approximate eighty-three thousand cesspools currently in use across Hawaii. The bill recognizes the critical issue of cesspool contamination affecting ground water, drinking water, and coastal ecosystems, particularly emphasizing areas at high risk for human health impacts. It aligns with previous legislative efforts, such as Act 125, which mandates the upgrade or conversion of cesspools to approved wastewater systems by January 1, 2050. This bill specifically aims to facilitate the first steps toward that conversion requirement in the Waialua region of Oahu.
While HB1586 seeks to implement necessary changes for public health and environmental protection, discussions surrounding it include potential concerns related to funding and feasibility. The appropriations for the feasibility study have raised discussions on whether they will exceed state expenditure ceilings, which is a point of contention in the legislative context. Additionally, implications of such a project may include resistance from communities that could be affected by the interconnection mandate, or from stakeholders concerned about implementation costs and logistical challenges in upgrading infrastructure.