Cesspools Are Going Away

The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are very different. A cesspool essentially collects and releases untreated wastewater into the surrounding ground, where a septic system provides treatment before wastewater is dispersed.

The statewide mandate specifically targets cesspools. If a property already has an approved septic or other wastewater system, it generally isn't subject to the cesspool conversion requirement simply because it isn't connected to municipal sewer.

Cesspools can release untreated wastewater into groundwater, drinking water sources, streams and coastal waters. With tens of thousands of cesspools across the state, Hawaii has made their elimination a significant environmental and public-health priority.

The State has also developed a prioritization system based on environmental and health risks. On Hawaii Island, higher-priority areas have included locations around Kailua-Kona, Holualoa, Keahou, Kealakehe, Kawaihae, Waikoloa and Hilo. That doesn't mean every property within those communities has the same requirements or timeline, and individual properties need to be evaluated separately.

Not necessarily. The statewide deadline is January 1, 2050, but certain circumstances can require action earlier. These can include wastewater-related building modifications, unsanitary conditions, repeated pumping or spills, or a system that discharges directly into groundwater.

In other words, 2050 shouldn't automatically be interpreted as permission to leave every existing cesspool untouched until 2049.

There isn't one useful answer. The appropriate replacement system, and its cost, can depend on lot size, topography, soil conditions, setbacks, existing improvements, wastewater volume and whether sewer service is available.

On some Big Island properties, another important question may be where a compliant replacement system can physically be located. That is why estimates for one property shouldn't automatically be applied to another.

For buyers, a cesspool can represent a future property expense that should be understood before purchasing. For sellers, buyers may increasingly ask:

• What wastewater system does the property have, and where is it located?
• What will eventually replace it?
• Is sewer available?
• Is there adequate room for another approved system?
• What could conversion cost?

Those questions can affect buyer confidence, negotiations and ultimately property value, even though the statewide deadline is still years away. Financial assistance may help some owners: Hawaii has pursued grants, tax incentives, loans and other programs intended to assist with cesspool conversion, but programs and eligibility requirements change.

Cesspool conversion isn't something Big Island property owners need to panic about, but it is something they should start understanding. Know what system serves your property, know where it is, and understand whether your area has been identified as higher priority.

When buying or selling a property with a cesspool, factor future conversion into the conversation. What began primarily as an environmental initiative is increasingly becoming a real estate issue, too.