Cohorts

Ocean Sewage Alliance (OSA)

The Ocean Sewage Alliance is a diverse collective of organizations and academic scientists committed to reducing the threat of sewage and other wastewater pollution in our oceans, while increasing the health and well-being of both humans and nature. They aim to achieve our mission through cross-sector collaboration, the synthesis and sharing of knowledge, developing solutions, and raising awareness.

DECENTRALIZED WASTEWATER INNOVATIONS COHORT (DWI)

DigDeep has assembled grassroots partners implementing alternative wastewater solutions in communities across the US to participate in the new DWI Cohort. Cohort participants will share about the opportunities and challenges they face around decentralized wastewater as well as the innovative technical and human solutions they are implementing. Participants are given the opportunity to learn from one another through virtual meetings and site visits. Participating communities or organizations are actively addressing a challenge for which traditional septic or centralized systems are not adequate and have an innovative component to their efforts (e.g., new technology, regulations, funding, etc.).

Nonprofit Collaborators

University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant

UH Sea Grant supports an innovative program of research, extension, education, and communication services directed to the improved understanding and stewardship of coastal and marine resources. Realizing the necessity of collaboration to address coastal resource issues, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant also provides links between academia, federal, state, and local government agencies, industries, and local community members. WAI has the privilege of hosting a UH Sea Grant Grau Fellow as our resident wastewater engineer.

Water Resources Research Center (WRCC)

The WRRC serves the state of Hawai'i as well as other pacific islands and elsewhere by researching water-related issues distinctive to these areas. WRRC is Hawaiʻi’s link in a network represented in every state as well as Washington, D.C. and three U.S. territories. WAI is working with WRRC and Sea Grant staff on our Work-4-Water Initiative to build workforce development and create green job opportunities for workers to help convert the 88,000 cesspools across the state.

Surfrider Foundation

The Surfrider Foundation’s Blue Water Task Force provides critical water quality information to protect public health at the beach. Surfrider Foundation chapters use this volunteer water testing program to raise awareness of local pollution problems and to bring together communities to implement solutions. Blue Water Task Force labs measure fecal indicator bacteria levels in recreational waters and compare them to water quality standards set to protect public health. Chapter-run BWTF programs fill in the gaps and extend the coverage of agency-run beach monitoring programs by sampling ocean and bay beaches and potential sources of pollution such as stormwater runoff and untreated sewage from cesspools and failing septic systems into our coastal areas. WAI has extensive ties with Surfrider: Stuart was the Hawaiʻi Manager for a decade, and Christina was the Blue Water Task Force Coordinator for several years.

Coral Reef Alliance

CORAL is actively expanding the scientific understanding of how corals adapt to climate change and is applying this information to give reefs the best chance to thrive for generations to come. CORAL’s broad expertise uniquely positions us to rally the conservation community around scalable and effective solutions for coral reefs around the world. WAI is excited to collaborate on finding innovate technologies to protect nearshore corals reefs from the pollutants of wastewater.

Hui o Ka Wai Ola

Hui O Ka Wai Ola (Association Of The Living Waters) is a group of water quality champions that is dedicated to measuring and sharing the status of Maui Nui's ocean water. Comprised of community member volunteers, scientists, supporters, and partner groups, Hui O Ka Wai Ola recognizes the value of a clean ocean for all residents, visitors, and natural resource management. WAI will be collaborating with the Hui to do water quality monitoring and data analysis.

Reef Resilience Network

Through the Reef Resilience Network, managers and scientists around the world share lessons learned when incorporating resilience principles into coral reef and reef fisheries management activities. WAI contributed a case studies focused on the wastewater problem on Hawaiʻi.

The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. WAI has been collaborating with TNC members in Suffolk County, the only place in the country that has more cesspools than Hawaiʻi. WAI hopes to collaborate more with TNC’s chapters in Suffolk County and Hawaiʻi to work on reducing sewage pollution in our nearshore waters.

Institutional Collaborations

Department of Aquatic Resources 30x30 (DAR)

DAR’s 30x30 mission focuses on the effective management of Hawaiʻi’s nearshore waters for healthy reefs, fish, and communities. Part of this vision involves managing land-based pollution sources such as wastewater and cesspool runoff. We are collaborating to help DAR achieve the goal of limiting and managing land-based pollution.

Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology

In 2020 we partnered with HIMB to install the first Cinderella Incineration toilet on Oʻahu. Through this pilot project, we have brought convenient and safe sanitation to Mokulēʻia and the HIMB laboratories on site. HIMB is an important scientific facility that has many precious surround coral reefs that will no longer be negatively affected by cesspool runoff.

Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW)

DOFAW manages many wildlife and recreation areas across the state. Part of that management involves creating sustainable and clean bathrooms for park users. In our collaborations, we are working on a project to bring innovative toilet technologies to some of these remote access areas.