April 2006
Waste Water Treatment: A Hawaii Priority
Last month’s record rains left Oahu with something worse than a sodden feeling. It will be a long time before we forget the massive failures of our outdated wastewater infrastructure.
Forty-eight million gallons of sewage spilled into Ala Wai Canal, closing beaches and leading to soaring levels of waterborne bacteria, a suspected factor in at least one death. But there were many other sewage spills that raised warning flags: 10,000 gallons into Kapalama Canal, 1,000 gallons into Kalihi Stream, 600 gallons into Waimalu Stream, 4,000 gallons at Wailupe, 9,500 gallons into Kaelepulu Stream, 10,000 gallons into Kua Stream, and nearly 2 million gallons into the streets of the Ala Moana/Kakaako area.
Although Honolulu’s spillage made national headlines, our problems are not unique. Inadequate and deteriorating wastewater infrastructure systems threaten the livability and economic growth of cities all across the nation. In some cases the public health of entire communities is in danger. It will take billions of dollars to fix the problem, and few cities can meet the cost without help from the federal government.
That’s why I am cosponsoring legislation to reinvigorate federal programs that help cities like Honolulu upgrade their wastewater systems. The most important of those bills is the Clean Water Trust Act of 2005 (HR 4560). The bill establishes a special Clean Water Trust Fund. Federal loans and grants totaling up to $7.5 billion per year would be authorized for cities, counties and other local jurisdictions. The bill specifically authorizes $250 million for the Sewer Overflow Grants Program.
The Clean Water Trust Act of 2005 builds on 30 years of progress in curbing water pollution. It encourages partnerships between communities and the federal government to protect the health and viability of cities like Honolulu and countless other municipalities. It allows us to renew our commitment to protecting the ‘aina and the unique natural environment which makes our Hawaii such a special place.
