Cesspool conversion tool for homeowners, policy makers launched

A user-friendly website To help homeowners and policy makers solve the critical issues around them HawaiiAn estimated 83,000 water reservoirs are now publicly available.

The website is the result of a collaboration between University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program (Hawaii sea ​​grant) UH Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) and in Hawaii State Department of HealthDOH) waste water branch.

A collection of free resources is available on the site, including Hawaii Cesspool Priority Tool (H.P.T), an interactive map-based tool that displays each Syspool priority level and shows the urgency of change based on geographic location. Because this is important information for homeowners Rule 125 Rules of Session Hawaii (2017) It requires all of the state’s reservoirs to be upgraded, replaced or connected to sewers by 2050.

Christopher ShulerWith the hydrologist and researcher WRRC, directed the creation of the instrument. He said, “We have had the privilege of receiving many important contributions from an amazing group of scientists, wastewater experts and many students. H.P.T A comprehensive, yet easy-to-use tool.

An important resource

H.P.T It is an important resource for coastal communities and statewide policy makers. DOH It uses H.P.T Plan to change water tanks and distribute financial assistance to homeowners. Homeowners have the ability to enter their tax map key or physical address to determine a conversion priority level of one to three, depending on their location. Community members without cesspools can use the tool to visualize the volume and impact of untreated sewage in their neighborhoods.

“Improving HawaiiOne of the most important issues for the state is the need for modern and effective ways to manage wastewater, especially in the face of climate change and rising sea levels in the coming years. Melanie Lander, Hawaii A Sea Grant Community Planning and Design Extension agent who led the outreach efforts for the project. “Our curriculum focuses on informing. Hawaii Communities are concerned about human health and ecological concerns about cesspools.

In addition, the website offers a series of location-based videos explaining what reservoirs are and why some have acute and dangerous impacts on human and ecosystem health, and provides step-by-step instructions on how to use the priority tool. Includes helpful links and resources, including the 2022 report;Hawaii Cesspool’s risk assessment and prioritization tool“, which describes the creation process in detail H.P.T.

Darren T. LernerDirector Hawaii Sea Grant and member Cesspool Conversion Working GroupHe said that we have worked closely with experts from the region and departments in the university Hawaii Manoa has been a priority for many years to develop the tool and is now proud to share the data with the community and policy makers. This website truly has something for everyone.

For more information, contact Shuler at cshuler@hawaii.edu. Contact Lander at mlander@hawaii.edu to discuss educational opportunities and outreach products.

The project was funded by Hawaii State DOH Wastewater Branch.

– by Cindy Knapman