Updated at 6:47 p.m., Wednesday, March 28, 2007
EPA raps city sewage; mayor says fix could cost $400M
Advertiser Staff
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today said the city's Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant does not meet national water quality requirements and proposed not to renew the city's permit variance waiving the plant from full secondary treatment requirements.If the EPA issues a final decision denying the permit variance, the plant will be required to upgrade to full secondary treatment, which Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann said will cost about $400 million.
Hannemann, however, said the city will fight the EPA on the issue, saying that such upgrades are not needed and that plant operations are not harming the environment.
The Honouliuli plant processes sewage and other wastewater from homes and businesses in areas including Waipahu, Pearl City and Halawa, as well as waste from liquid-waste haulers and sludge hauled from the Wahiawa and Paalaa Kai wastewater treatment plants, according to the EPA. The plant treats about 27 million gallons of raw wastewater daily and discharges treated water via the Barbers Point deep ocean outfall.
The EPA's tentative decision will be available for public comment through May 29, and a public hearing on the issue will be held May 15 at Kapolei Middle School. The EPA will make a final decision on the application following the public comment period.
