WASTEWATER SYSTEMS
PUBLIC NOTICE OF
VARIANCE APPLICATION NO. W W 271
DOCKET NO. 07 – V W W – 29

Pursuant to H.R.S. §342D-7(i), Hawaii Revised Statutes, the State Department of Health (DOH) seeks written comments from interested persons regarding the following. Mr. George Matsumoto of Holualoa, Hawaii has applied for a variance for the maximum of five (5) year variance from Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR), Section 11-62-03 Definitions which states “Individual wastewater system means a facility which is designed to receive and dispose of no more than 1000 gallons per day of domestic wastewater. Individual wastewater systems may involve treatment processes and include, but are not limited to, septic tanks and household aerobic units with disposal system and cesspools. Each individual wastewater system shall be an independent system and shall have all of its plumbing, treatment (if any), and disposal components separate from any other wastewater system.”, and from Section 11-62-31.1 (a)(1)(D) which states “The total wastewater flow into each individual flow into each individual wastewater system shall not exceed 1,000 gallons per day.”
Mr. Peter Dahlberg, P.E., of Peter J.K. Dahlberg, P.E, LLC, of Hawaii is the individual authorized to act for the applicant. The applicant has requested the variance from HAR Section 11-62-31.1(a)(1)(D), as the design flow into the proposed individual wastewater system (IWS) exceeds five (5) bedroom/1000 gpd. Six (6) bedrooms (3 with kitchen BOTH upper & lower) exist in one (1) dwelling. Estimated design flow is 1200 gpd. Proposed Treatment unit is 1500 gallon septic tank (variance requested for HAR Section 11-62-31.1 (a)1-D, (a) 2-D, existing cesspool to be converted to seepage pit for effluent disposal. The location of the dwelling is 75-149 Luanpule Road, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii TMK: (3) 7-5-018:-38, 10, 360 square feet.
The applicant has made the following comments.
1. The area of the lot is 10,360 square feet. This is insufficient to meet the minimum land area requirements for IWS utilization which is one IWS per 10,000 square feet of lot area.
2. The large capacity septic system proposed to serve the facility would not comply with HAR Section 11-62-03 because the IWS would receive more than 1,000 gallons per day of wastewater. The estimated flow into the system would be 1200 gallons per day.
3. A new 1500 gallon septic tank with effluent filter is proposed and conversion of existing cesspool to seepage pit has been recommended as the most feasible solution, given the small property size, and location of existing structure and property lines.
4. The existing large capacity cesspool(s) must be closed and replaced with a new treatment individual wastewater system by April 5, 2005 to comply with federal requirements.
5. The current State requirement of a wastewater treatment plant would significantly add to the construction cost as wall as require a much greater outgoing maintenance cost.
6. The applicant believes this variance request is in the public interest because the LCC will be upgraded to an IWS (septic system). The IWS plans will be designed by an engineer and will be submitted to DOH for review and approval. The new IWS will provide a better wastewater treatment system compared to the existing LCC. Therefore minimizes impact to the environment.
7. The existing LCC will be upgraded to an IWS (septic system). The IWS will provide a better treatment system prior to effluent disposal. The IWS will be designed and constructed to meet the Department of Health standards. The impact to the environment will be minimized compared to the current wastewater disposal.
8. The proposed treatment individual wastewater systems will provide greater protection than the large capacity cesspools. The proposed IWS is an improvement to the existing cesspool in terms of wastewater treatment. The septic tank will provide pretreatment and sludge removal prior to effluent disposal.
9. The owner of the facility simply cannot afford to build and operate wastewater systems meeting all the requirements of HAR Chapter 11-62 such as small aerobic wastewater treatment plans.
10 The variance is requested for the maximum of five (5) years.

If you would like to review the full application, please call or write to the Wastewater Branch, 919 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 309, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814-4920, telephone (808) 586-4294 or fax (808) 586-4300. DOH will consider all written comments received within thirty days of this notice. If warranted, DOH may hold a public hearing on the variance application.

Chiyome Leinaala. Fukino, M.D.
Director of Health (SB03513746 1/8/08)