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The state Department
of Health will hold two
public meetings next
week to explain the
impact cesspools are
having on drinking water and waterways and offer
information on possible solutions to the problem.
A recent Health Department report identified
14 priority areas statewide where cesspools are
beginning to affect
drinking water, streams or beaches.
The public informational meetings will be held at
the two highest-priority
areas: Makawao, Maui,
and Kahaluu in Windward Oahu:
>> Makawao: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Eddie Tam Memorial Center, 931 Makawao Ave.
>> Kahaluu: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Kualoa-Heeia Ecumenical Youth (KEY) Project, 47-200 Waihee Road in Kaneohe.
According to the report, Upcountry Maui has
7,400 cesspools that threaten drinking water, and Kahaluu has 740.
The report, submitted last month to the state
Legislature, labeled
43,000 residential cesspools as a priority for
replacement.
A new state law requires all cesspools to be upgraded, converted or connected to the sewer system before 2050 unless they are exempted.