Federal Grants Can Help Fund Critical Improvements to Honolulu's Overflowing Sewer System

Washington, DC -- U.S. Representative Neil Abercrombie announced today that the House of Representatives has approved legislation to renew the Sewer Overflow Control Grants program, administered through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  The grants program would provide $1.8 billion dollars over the next five years to cities and states to offset some of the costs of rehabilitating sewer systems and preventing ruptures and overflows.

"These grants are a public health issue across the country, but nowhere more so than the City and County of Honolulu," said Abercrombie.  "We've seen what can happen when aging sewer systems are overwhelmed by growing demand.  We remember one year ago when a sewer main at the Beachwalk Pump Station ruptured, sending 48-million gallons of wastewater into the Ala Wai Canal."

The City and County of Honolulu began a ten-year sewer rehabilitation and replacement program in 1998 expected to cost more than $1 billion.  An increase in sewer fees through 2011 was approved to pay for it, but local officials believe now that the increases will not be sufficient to cover the rising cost of wastewater capital improvements.

Aging wastewater and sewage systems are a national problem.  Many municipal systems, especially in the Northeast and Great Lakes region, were originally built in the 19th Century.

"Federal grants from this program could help hold down future increases in sewer fees to pay for upgrading Honolulu's system," Abercrombie said.  "Today's vote is an important first step in the process.  The Senate must also approve the legislation, and then funds must be appropriated for the grants."

Sewer Overflow Control grants were first authorized by Congress in 2002, but recent Republican-led Congresses refused to appropriate funds for the grants and then allowed the program to expire.

The legislation is the first of three bills coming to the House floor this week aimed at improving water quality.

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