Surfrider Hawaii Helps Pass State Bill to Give Tax Credits for Cesspool Upgrades

Surfrider's Hawaii Chapters are committed to stopping construction of new cesspools and upgrading the existing ones to septic tanks or sewer (where it's available). With more than 90,000 in the Islands, Hawaii has more cesspools than any other state in the country and is the only one that still allows construction of new ones. Cesspools are a leading source of water pollution, and their effluent can contaminate drinking water sources, streams and oceans with disease-causing pathogens, algae-causing nutrients and other harmful substances. While trying to pass legislation, Surfrider also began working with the Dept. of Health to change Hawaii's Administrative Rules (HAR) internally to ban construction of new cesspools. We eventually helped pass a statewide bill to give tax breaks to homeowners who upgrade their cesspools to more environmentally-friendly septic tanks. On Fri., June 12th, Surfrider staff members were invited to Governor David Ige's office for a signing ceremony for Act 120, which gives $10,000 income tax credits for homeowners in areas near water sources to upgrade their cesspools to more effective wastewater treatment systems.