HILO — The state has taken an important step toward addressing water pollution, according to some isle scientists.
A statewide ban on new cesspool construction approved Friday by Gov. David Ige came despite protests from seven Hawaii Island legislators, who claimed the ban would place undue financial burdens on local homeowners who might not be able to afford more expensive sewage systems.
The new rules also implement a 2015 law providing a tax credit of up to $10,000 for cesspools upgraded to sewer or septic systems during the next five years, limited to $5 million or about 500 cesspool upgrades a year. Under the law, owners of cesspools located within 200 feet of the ocean, streams or marsh areas, or near drinking water sources, can qualify for the credit.
In announcing the ban, Ige said Hawaii had been the only state in the union that allowed the construction of cesspools.
“Today’s action banning new cesspools statewide would stop the addition of pollution from approximately 800 new cesspools per year,” he said.
here is the link to the rest of the story in the Hawaii Tribune Herald