POTTY PORTAL

The Potty Portal is a resource to educate homeowners and those interested about the cesspool issue in Hawaii and the cesspool conversion process. If you are a cesspool owner and want to get in touch with the WAI team for help with the conversion, or a licensed Individual Wastewater System (IWS) installer and would like to be featured on this website, please use the buttons below.

 

What is the Best Individual Wastewater System for Your Property?

Complete an interactive quiz to find out which individual wastewater system is the best fit for your property.

 
 
 
 

IWS Engineers & Installers

The lists below intend to show every engineer licensed to design Individual Wastewater Systems (IWSs) and every contractor licensed to install IWSs. They are provided for convenience and not to be seen as an endorsement of any specific person or company.

 
 

Information About Cesspools

What are cesspools, and why do they need to be converted?

 
Graphic by Michael Mezzacapo

Graphic by Michael Mezzacapo

 

Are all cesspools equally harmful as each other?

Not all cesspools are equally harmful as they can vary in size and the volume of waste they handle. Additionally, the location of the cesspool, the type of waste that is disposed of, and the surrounding soil conditions can also affect the level of harm. A cesspool that is located near a water source or in an area with high water table could be more harmful than one that is located farther away or in an area with a lower water table. The Department of Health has published a list of priority areas, in which the cesspools are qualified as especially harmful.

 
 

What can a cesspool be converted to?

What does the Individual Wastewater System (IWS) permitting process look like in Hawaii?

Map of Cesspool Locations in Hawaii

 

Hawaii lacks a complete map of all cesspool locations. Research is ongoing to better identify properties that are most likely served by cesspools. Click on the image below to find an interactive map based on a number of studies by University of Hawaii and the Department of Health. You can enter any address into the search bar to move the map there. If there is an orange dot at the location you entered, this property is likely served by a cesspool. If the map area is shaded in blue, it is located in one of the cesspool upgrade priority areas as defined by the Hawaii Department of Health. The priority areas will be updated soon.

Cesspool_GIS.PNG

Cesspool Map

Note: Cesspool locations and priority areas are subject to change.

What to Expect When Converting Your Cesspool

The below flowcharts give an overview of the current regulations on Individual Wastewater System (IWS) requirements. Click on each chart to open it in another window. Underlined words link to websites that provide more explanations. There are four flowcharts:

  1. “Regular Property”, use this if you do NOT have multiple systems on your property and are NOT in the No-Pass-Zone on Oahu.

  2. “Multiple Systems”, use this if you have multiple on-site wastewater systems on your property.

  3. “No-Pass-Zone”, use this if you are in the No-Pass-Zone on Oahu.

  4. “Seepage Pit Retrofit”, use this to find out if your existing cesspool can be retrofitted into a seepage pit.

Find a map at this link to check if your property is located in the No-Pass-Zone, which only exists on Oahu. If a location is within the blue area on the map, it is NOT in the No-Pass-Zone.

Financial Resources

 

United States Department of Agriculture: Single Family Housing Direct Loan Program

United States Department of Agriculture: Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants

Provides loans and grants to low-income homeowners in rural areas for necessary repairs, including those related to water and waste disposal systems.

City & County of Honolulu: Rehabilitation Loan Program for Owner Occupants

Passed Cesspool Laws

 

  • “Provides a temporary income tax credit for the cost of upgrading or converting a qualified cesspool to a septic system or an aerobic treatment unit system, or connecting to a sewer system. Permits DOH, as a pilot program, to certify no more than 2 residential large capacity cesspools as qualified cesspools. Defines terms.” (Tax credit program ended 12/31/2020)

  • “Amends the cesspool upgrade, conversion, or connection income tax credit by making it available for cesspools within a tax map key area in which more than one residence is connected to a large-capacity cesspool.” (Tax credit program ended 12/31/2020)

  • “Requires upgrade, conversion, or sewer connection of all cesspools in the State before 2050 unless exempted. Broadens eligibility criteria for tax credit to offset costs. Requires the Department of Health to investigate existing cesspools, assess incentive programs, and report to the Legislature.” (Tax credit program ended 12/31/2020).

  • “Establishes a Cesspool Conversion Working Group within the Department of Health to develop a comprehensive plan for the conversion of all statewide cesspools by 2050. Requires the University of Hawai’i to conduct a comprehensive statewide study of sewage contamination in nearshore marine areas. Appropriates funding to the Department of Health to conduct research or gather technical assistance to the University of Hawai’i for the study of sewage contamination in nearshore marine areas.”

  • “Amends the cesspool upgrade, conversion, or connection income tax credit pilot program by repealing the provision that restricts DOH from certifying more then two residential large capacity cesspools as qualified cesspools.” (Tax credit program ended 12/31/2020).

  • “Extends various reporting deadlines and the sunset date of the cesspool conversion working group established pursuant to Act 132. Session Laws of Hawai’i 2018. Extends the lapse date on appropriations for the comprehensive statewide study of sewage contamination in nearshore marine areas and for research and technical assistance necessary for the completion of the comprehensive cesspool conversion plan.”

FlushAware

Do you live on Maui Island? Find out more about what happens after you flush the toilet on FlushAware!

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