Hawaii property owners close 10 large-capacity cesspools

Enforcement actions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this year led to the closure of 10 large-­capacity cesspools in Hawaii and more than $640,000 in civil penalties.

The EPA in 2005 banned large-capacity cesspools under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Since then, more than 3,400 large-capacity cesspools — defined as cesspools that serve 20 people or more daily — have been closed statewide. However, thousands remain in operation in Hawaii, where cesspools date back to the plantation era and are used more widely than in any other state.

Cesspools collect and discharge untreated raw sewage into the ground, where disease-causing pathogens and harmful chemicals can contaminate groundwater, streams and the ocean.

Last month, the EPA announced a final consent agreement with Kamehameha Schools to close any large-capacity cesspools on its more than 3,000 properties and pay a penalty of nearly $100,000.

The EPA at the time called the settlement with the state’s largest private landowner “a landmark agreement” and “a major milestone in Hawaii’s effort to protect its unique natural resources.”

The agency said it hoped the settlement would lead other Hawaii landowners to voluntarily close their cesspools.

“We will continue working to close all remaining large cesspools,” Mike Stoker, the EPA’s Pacific Southwest regional administrator, said in a statement Wednesday. “This enforcement effort will help protect Hawaii’s drinking water and coastal water resources.”

The settlement with Kamehameha Schools led the landowner’s Hawaii island lessee — Hawaii International Sporting Club — to close a cesspool and replace it with an approved septic system. Kamehameha Schools agreed to pay $99,531 in penalties and to audit 365,000 acres of properties for any additional cesspools.

Other EPA enforcement actions include:

>> The closure of two large-capacity cesspools at Dole Food Co.’s Puuiki Beach Park property on Oahu. The cesspools were replaced with state-approved septic systems and the company paid a $145,000 penalty. The private 9-acre Puuiki Beach Park in Waialua is used by Dole employees for company gatherings and recreational activities.

>> An agreement with Hawaii Country Club to close its cesspool in Wahiawa by Nov. 30 and pay a $40,000 penalty.

>> A penalty of $64,608 against Kloeckner Metals Corp. for failing to close a large cesspool on its property at Campbell Industrial Park. Kloeckner Metals will close the cesspool, as well as two small-capacity cesspools at the facility by ­ Dec. 31, the EPA said.

>> An agreement with Honolulu, LLC/Hon Realty to close a cesspool on Hon Realty’s property at Campbell Industrial Park and another one at a nearby property by April 30. Hon Realty will pay a penalty of $126,652.

>> The closure of two large cesspools at the Old Koloa Town Shopping Center on the island of Kauai. Under an agreement reached with the EPA, Smith Waterhouse Family of Koloa will replace the cesspools with a wastewater treatment plant approved by the state Health Department and pay a penalty of $81,549.

>> A settlement with N.F. Kawakami Store — the property owner of the Koloa Big Save Supermarket on Kauai — to replace a large cesspool with a wastewater treatment plant and pay a civil penalty of $110,000.

While the federal ban applies to large-capacity cesspools, the state has set a goal of closing or upgrading all small-capacity cesspools by 2050.