WASTEWATER SYSTEMS
PUBLIC NOTICE OF
VARIANCE APPLICATION NO. WW234
DOCKET NO. 06-VWW-3
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. Derek Fujikami of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA), Honolulu, Hawaii on behalf of the Lailani Multi Family Housing, has applied for a 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.
Mr. Ronald Layaoen, Project Engineer, Okahara & Associates, Hilo, Hawaii is the individual authorized to act for the applicant. The applicant is requesting the continued use of seven (7) cesspools currently serving the three buildings that do not have access to the Countys public sewer system. The seven cesspools have been designated to be upgraded by the addition of a septic tank and converting the cesspools into seepage pits for effluent disposal. The variance is requested for five (5) of the seven (7) proposed cesspool upgrades whose estimated flows exceed 1000 gallons per day. The property is located at 74-984 Manawalea Street, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and identified as TMK: (3) 7-4-017: 060.
The applicant has made the following comments:
1. Five (5) of the seven (7) proposed individual wastewater systems (IWSs) would receive more than 1000 gpd of wastewater. Three (3) of the proposed IWSs would each receive 1,600 gallons per day of wastewater and two (2) of the proposed IWSs would each receive 1,200 gallons per day of wastewater.
2. 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.
3. The facility has been in operation for 19 years in this location using the existing cesspool. The installation of a wastewater treatment plant in lieu of a septic system will not be possible due to space restrictions and may force the owner to abandon the business operation.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. The existing location of the facility is severely restrictive. There is simply no space to construct a wastewater treatment plant.
8. The variance is requested for the maximum of five (5) years.
If you would like to review the complete 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 to obtain a copy or facsimile. 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, after a separate thirty-day public notice. The final decision will be made on the basis of the application, related documents, written comments and the public hearing, if any.
CHIYOME L. FUKINO, M.D.
Director of Health (SB05525738 11/7/06)
