cesspools (again, still)

[Chas]

Cesspools report debated:

https://youtu.be/WD4OX8Mowr8

[Durian Fiend]

"Potential for affecting drinking water".

Here's an idea-ban the construction of new cesspools and continue to monitor water quality to see if this "potential" goes anywhere.

Mandating the replacement of existing cesspools with septics by 2050 doesn't seem like a wise, or workable, move.

If residents of Hilo and some Puna subdivisions were given the opportunity to hook up to a real sewer line, well that's another story.

[MarkP]

Cesspool and septic tank require the same size hole but the septic tank must be watertight and generally built to higher tolerances or manufactured off site. In addition the septic tank is only half the system. There is still the leach field to be built. The tank/leachfield that is now required would be at least twice the cost of a simple cesspool. If built on solid pahoehoe I imagine it could get very expensive.

[kalakoa]

ban the construction of new cesspools

Permits are no longer being issued -- but (as usual) this doesn't actually prevent anyone from building an unpermitted cesspool, which I suggest is a shortcoming in our "all or nothing" permitting system.

the opportunity to hook up to a real sewer line

Where will this "real sewer line" come from and who will pay for it? Remember, these massive "private, agricultural" subdivisions can't even manage their own roads.

[MarkP]

Wastewater treatment plants fail during power outages or major storms and sewage mains break, resulting in big spills. A properly designed septic tank with leach field does a pretty good job with no moving parts and a very low failure rate. Of course some people may not build it due to cost or laziness. I'm not sure which is worse but either way there are costs that have to be addressed.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Where will this "real sewer line" come from and who will pay for it?

Estimated cost to replace Hawaii's cesspools is between $1.5 & $2 billion.
Who will pay for it?
Show me the money.

"This is an island surrounded by water, big water, ocean water.” - President Donald J. Trump

[Anxious Messiah]

quote:

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Originally posted by kalakoa

recycle human waste in a compost heap ... treat greywater through sand filtering

Please cite the relevant State/County regulations which permit these activities.

Oh, right. There aren't any.

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Act 187 from 2016. Composting of human waste from a composting toilet is allowed, it's how they work. That compost can be used in one's yard or garden, just not for food crop production. Counties are also mandated to approve composting toilets where applicable under the act.

_________________________________________
Don't speak unless you can improve on the silence.

[Durian Fiend]

quote:

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Originally posted by HereOnThePrimalEdge

Where will this "real sewer line" come from and who will pay for it?

Estimated cost to replace Hawaii's cesspools is between $1.5 & $2 billion.
Who will pay for it?
Show me the money.

"This is an island surrounded by water, big water, ocean water.” - President Donald J. Trump

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Right. Who pays for sewer line extensions anywhere in the US? It's a cost that's amortized and distributed among all rate payers as a monthly payment.

Having everyone buy their own private septic system with a very high up front cost seems like a very inefficient and untenable solution. But I dunno, maybe it's the only feasible answer.

[MarkP]

It's the way it is done everywhere with a low population density. My parents in Central New York are on a septic system as is everyone else for miles around. Septic systems work fine under the right conditions. No need to reinvent the wheel.

Depending on your sustainability/survivalist leanings you might prefer a septic system as it doesn't export and concentrate your waste elsewhere and it is under your control.

[Chas]

Agreed. My septic system is over 50 years old and still works fine. As long as it's pumped regularly (according to how much it is used).