Clean Water Branch
The Clean Water Branch
The Clean Water Branch (CWB) protects the public health of residents and tourists who enjoy playing in and around Hawaii’s coastal and inland water resources. The CWB also protects and restores inland and coastal waters for marine life and wildlife. These goals are accomplished through statewide coastal water surveillance and watershed-based environmental management through a combination of permit issuance, monitoring, enforcement, polluted runoff control projects, and public education.
Recent Announcements
See below for a list of the 10 most recent announcements from the Clean Water Branch. Announcements include updates on rulemaking, uploads of informational documents, and other informational announcements. To see all announcements, go to the Announcements Page.
(PINNED) CWB Announces New Requirement for Electronic Signature Approval for All Submissions Beginning January 31, 2023
The Department of Health (DOH), Environmental Health Administration (EHA) e-Permitting Portal received Cross-Media Electronic Reporting Rule (CROMERR) certification by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for electronic signature. Currently, Applicants and Permittees may now certify and submit EHA Electronic Signature Forms electronically through the EHA e-Permitting Portal without the need to physically send in an ink signature […]
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT RENEWAL NOI OR NOC FOR PERMIT COVERAGE UNDER HAR 11-55 APPENDIX C, J, OR L
On January 29, 2024, the Department of Health, Clean Water Branch (CWB) re-adopted the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permits contained in the following three (3) Appendices of Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 11, Chapter 55 (HAR 11-55): Appendix C – Discharges of Storm Water Associated with Construction Activity Appendix J – Unintentional Discharges […]
CWB Completes Re-Adoption of HAR 11-55 Appendices C, J, and L Effective January 29, 2024
The Department of Health, Clean Water Branch (CWB) has completed the rulemaking process for revisions to Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 11, Chapter 55 (HAR 11-55) and has re-adopted the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permits contained in HAR 11-55 Appendices C, J, and L. The three (3) re-adopted general permits have five-year terms […]
CWB Creates NPDES Severe Weather Preparedness FAQs
The Department of Health (DOH), Clean Water Branch (CWB) has created new FAQs with recommendations for steps Permittees with construction sites and industrial facilities can take to prepare for severe weather events. With tropical storm Calvin projected to impact the State in the upcoming days, Permittees should prepare their sites and facilities for any potential […]
CWB Releases a Fact Sheet for an Ongoing Water Quality Restoration Project for Kalihi Stream, Keehi Lagoon, and Moanalua Stream
The Department of Health, Clean Water Branch (CWB) has released a fact sheet outlining an ongoing Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) project—a tool in water quality restoration—for Kalihi Stream, Keehi Lagoon, and Moanalua Stream. Information provided includes affected waterbodies, impaired parameters addressed by the TMDL, and an overview of the TMDL process. The fact sheet can […]
CWB Completes Re-Adoption of HAR 11-55 Appendices ADHIM Effective June 26, 2023
The Department of Health, Clean Water Branch (CWB) has completed the rulemaking process for revisions to Hawaii Administrative Rules, Chapter 11-55 (HAR 11-55) and has re-adopted the standard conditions for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permits contained in HAR 11-55 Appendix A and the NPDES general permits contained in HAR 11-55 Appendices A, […]
Request to Access a Government Record and WPC Viewer Update
Downloading documents from the WPC Viewer is not available at this time. If you would like a copy of a specific record, please complete the Request to Access a Government Record Form. Follow the directions and email the completed form to [email protected] with the subject line “Request to Access a Government Record.” Be advised that […]
CWB RELEASES RESPONSE TO COMMENTS FROM 2022 WATER QUALITY STANDARDS TRIENNIAL REVIEW
The Hawai’i State Department of Health, Clean Water Branch (CWB) has published the Response to Comments (RTC) document of the 2022 triennial review of state water quality standards. State water quality standards (WQS) provide the regulatory basis for protecting, assessing, and restoring water bodies in Hawaii. CWB is required to review state WQS at least […]
CWB Uploads Recording of March 30, 2022 Water Quality Standards Triennial Review Public Hearing
The Hawai’i State Department of Health, Clean Water Branch (CWB) has uploaded the video recording of the virtual public hearing from the 2022 triennial review of state water quality standards. State water quality standards (WQS) provide the regulatory basis for protecting, assessing, and restoring water bodies in Hawaii. CWB is required to review state WQS […]
Active Public Notices and Upcoming Public Hearings
See below for a list of active public notices and scheduled upcoming public hearings.
Active public notices are those public notices that are still in their public comment period (i.e., the CWB is still accepting public comments on the public noticed documents). Upcoming public hearings are those public hearings that have been scheduled but have not yet been held.
Click on the applicable post for more information related to that public notice or public hearing, including instructions on how to participate in the public participation process.
Supporting documents for active public notices can be accessed here.
If there are no posts other than the informational post listed here, then there are no active public notices or upcoming scheduled public hearings.
NOTICE OF CLEAN WATER BRANCH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WATER POLLUTION CONTROL PERMIT FOR TOPA FINANCIAL CENTER NPDES PERMIT NO. HI0021768
NOTICE OF CLEAN WATER BRANCH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WATER POLLUTION CONTROL PERMIT FOR TOPA FINANCIAL CENTER NPDES PERMIT NO. HI0021768 DOCKET NO. HI0021768 PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD March 21, 2024 – April 20, 2024 The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH), Clean Water Branch (CWB) tentatively recommends to the Director of Health (Director) to renew a National Pollutant […]
Active Public Notices and Upcoming Public Hearings Information
The Department of Health, Clean Water Branch (CWB) will post information regarding active public notices and upcoming scheduled public hearings on our website on the Active Public Notices and Upcoming Public Hearings Page as well as an updated list on our Home page. Active public notices are those public notices that are still in their […]
Clean Water Branch
References and Public Records
Section 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC)
Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR)
Polluted Runoff Control Program
