Clean Water Branch

Wastewater and Polluted Runoff

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What Happens to Water After it Goes Down the Drain?

Wastewater (sewage) is generated from many daily activities such as washing clothes and dishes, preparing food, taking a bath or shower, washing our hands, and using the bathroom. In highly developed areas, wastewater is often directed to a centralized facility—a wastewater treatment plant—that receives, treats and discharges wastewater from many homes and businesses. For example, the City and County of Honolulu operate several wastewater treatment plants. The 2004 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey found that 61.9% of Hawai‘i residents are served by a centralized wastewater treatment facility. Of those, 34.7% received centralized wastewater treatment at the secondary, greater than secondary or no discharge treatment level.

The remaining 38.1% of Hawai‘i residents are served by Individual Wastewater Systems (IWSs). An IWS is a decentralized system that receives and disposes domestic wastewater from one or multiple buildings that are not connected to a centralized wastewater treatment plant. Some IWSs treat wastewater by removing pollutants such as solids, organic matter, nutrients and bacteria. Not all systems provide equal levels of treatment. Suspended growth aerobic treatment systems provide secondary levels of treatment, for example, while others (such as septic tanks) only provide primary treatment of wastewater. Other IWSs only dispose of wastewater (e.g., cesspools).

With an IWS, wastewater is dispersed or reused very close to where it was generated. If several adjacent parcels are serviced by a single system, the treatment and water dispersal system can also be referred to as a cluster system. The sections below describe three different individual wastewater systems: cesspools, seepage pits and septic tanks.

Cesspools: A Common Onsite Disposal System in Hawai‘i

Cesspools are generally large, cylindrical excavations used to receive untreated wastewater. Solids are retained in the cesspool and the liquid percolates into the surrounding soil. Cesspools are not considered a treatment system because virtually no treatment occurs that would protect the surrounding environment; the effluent quality is only slightly better than the quality of raw wastewater. Cesspools are only considered to be a disposal device.

New cesspools are prohibited in Hawai‘i, and existing cesspools are required to be converted to other wastewater systems by 2050. Cesspool owners should consult with the DOH Wastewater Branch and the county wastewater program to learn of alternative wastewater treatment options and updates on cesspool conversions. Large-capacity cesspools—those designed to serve 20 or more people per day—are banned.

Typical cesspool design:

 

 

 

 

 

Seepage Pits: A Disposal System for Treated Wastewater

The difference between a seepage pit and a cesspool is that the seepage pit receives treated wastewater from a septic tank, whereas a cesspool receives untreated wastewater. Seepage pits are often found where cesspools once existed. The addition of a septic tank or other treatment system upstream from the cesspool enables the owner to consider converting the cesspool into a seepage pit, if the cesspool does not have any problems like spills, overflows or direct ‘piping’ of wastewater to a stream, river or the ocean.

 

Septic Systems: A Common Onsite Primary Treatment System

A septic tank is a wastewater storage unit that allows for both settling and skimming. Grit and other solids settle to the bottom of the tank and create a layer of sludge. Oil, grease, fat and other floatables rise to the top, creating a layer of scum. Accumulated sludge and scum must be removed on a regular basis. If these materials are not removed, they will move into downstream soil infiltration systems, leading to the failure of these systems. Where site conditions indicate that a higher quality effluent (water leaving the system) is required, septic tanks are used as pretreatment for subsequent treatment systems, including fixed film and suspended growth treatment systems.

What Does Wastewater Have to Do with Polluted Runoff?

Polluted runoff can occur when IWSs do not adequately treat wastewater due to improper siting, inadequate maintenance, leaks, or if the system does not adequately treat, or clean, the wastewater. When wastewater is not properly treated or disposed of, pollutants such as nutrients, solids and bacteria enter nearby coastal waters, streams and possibly groundwater, where they can contaminate water sources. This over-enrichment can cause algal blooms; harm coral, fish, and other aquatic animals; and make waters unsafe for swimming and other recreation.

How Can We Reduce Polluted Runoff from Wastewater Sources?

Research your wastewater treatment and dispersal options for new homes and businesses. There are a variety of wastewater systems available. The March 2008 Onsite Wastewater Treatment Survey and Assessment  provides a comprehensive description of systems, required maintenance and cost estimates in Hawai‘i. Select a treatment system, not just a dispersal system, to remove nutrients, solids and bacteria from your wastewater.

Convert existing cesspools to septic systems. Cesspools provide virtually no wastewater treatment and are considered only a disposal device. A septic tank will remove grit, solids, oil, grease, fat and other floatables from the wastewater before releasing it to the soil for final treatment.

Compost or throw away your food waste instead of using a garbage disposal. Garbage disposals require a lot of water to function properly. Food waste adds a considerable volume of solid material to a septic or holding tank, requiring more frequent sludge pump-outs. As an alternative, start a compost pile for your food waste. See page three of Hawai‘i Backyard Conservation, Ideas for Every Homeowner  for information on composting in Hawaiʻi.

The drain is not a trash can. Dispose of trash, cleaners, poisons or other chemicals at a recycling or disposal center! Also, don’t throw so-called ‘disposable’ cleaning towelettes, wipes and other paper towel products down the drain. They can stop up the treatment works in both centralized and decentralized systems.

Inspect and maintain your wastewater treatment system on a regular schedule. Treatment systems require maintenance. For instance, a septic system should be inspected every 3 years and pumped every 5 to 7 years (or as necessary). Become familiar with the requirements of your system. Onsite Wastewater Treatment Survey and Assessment (March 2008) provides a description of the necessary system maintenance.

Conserve water. The less water you use, the less water needs to be treated. There are several ways you can conserve water in your home or business, such as purchasing water-efficient appliances and adopting behaviors that conserve water.

• EPA’s WaterSense Web Site – Provides recommendations for water efficient showerheads and faucets.
• Water Use It Wisely Web Site – Provides 100 ways we can save water in our day-to-day lives.
• Hawai‘i Drought Monitor – Offers a series of links that also provide water conservation tips for Hawaiʻi.

Wastewater Resources

• Department of Health Wastewater Branch
  • Cesspools in Hawaiʻi
  • Cesspool Conversion Work Group
  • Cesspool and OSDS studies in Hawaiʻi, forms for installing individual wastewater systems, Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules Chapter 11-62
• EPA: Onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems
• EPA: Septic Systems