Wastewater Branch

Mission Statement

The Wastewater Branch administers the statewide engineering functions relating to water pollution control, municipal and private wastewater treatment works, individual wastewater systems and the Clean Water State Revolving fund. The Wastewater Branch’s mission is to protect public health and the environment.

Please Note:

Our jurisdiction does not extend to properties serviced by sewer. To see if you are serviced by sewer, check your water bill for a sewer charge or check if you receive a sewer bill. Any complaints or questions related to wastewater issues on these properties should be directed to the relevant county department or private sewer system provider.

General Info for
Homeowners and Realtors

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Announcements

New Design for Wastewater/Sludge Pumper and Hauler Placard

New Changes to the number of dwellings allowed for an IWS.

New Guidance on the definition of “Bedroom” in Hawaii Administrative Rule Chapter 11-62.

NOVO Payment Required Notification for 4808 Ohu Road, Kapaa, Hawaii 96746. See Notice and Finding of Violation and Order section at bottom of page.

Cesspools
Cesspools are substandard systems. They don’t treat wastewater, they merely dispose of it.

IWS are on-site systems for treating and disposing of domestic wastewater. They are commonly either septic tanks or aerobic treatment units.

All other domestic wastewater treatment and disposal systems that are not IWS or cesspools. This includes private and municipal WWTWs, as well as WWTWs that produce recycled water for reuse applications.

Derived from domestic wastewater that has been treated to various grades, recycled water has become more critical due to the state’s growing population, limited potable water resources, and wastewater disposal issues.

The Clean Water State Revolving Program provides low interest loans for the construction of point source and non-point source water pollution control projects.

The SWOTC works with the BOC to implement the Operator Certification Program that is established by Chapter 11-61.

Operations that haul or pump wastewater, wastewater sludge, and grease.

Treatment works or operations treating domestic wastewater sludge for the production of Biosolids that will be land applied to condition the soil or fertilize crops or vegetation grown in the soil.

Applies to buildings or operations generating wastewater from agricultural, commercial, or industrial activities.

Variances
A variance application is typically submitted by the engineer. The form for which can be found below:

Application for Variance | .pdf |
Our records are available upon request in compliance with the UIPA Hawaii Public Records Request Law.

NOTICE AND FINDING OF VIOLATION AND ORDER

To Owners of the property at 4808 Ohu Road, Kapaa, Hawaii 96746:

Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 342D-9(a)(1), you are hereby notified that the Notice and Finding of Violation and Order number 21-WW-EO-02(NOVO) has been issued to you.  PDF copies of the relevant documents can be found through the links provided below.

  • NOVO | .pdf |
  • Certificate of Service | .pdf |
  • NOVO Payment Required | .pdf |
To Owners of the property at 909 Maunawili Circle, Kailua, Hawaii 96734:

Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 342D-9(a)(1), you are hereby notified that the Notice and Finding of Violation and Order number 21-WW-EO-03(NOVO) has been issued to you.  PDF copies of the relevant documents can be found through the links provided below.

Contact

Oahu/Main Office
Wastewater Branch
Environmental Management Division
Hawaii State Department of Health
Hale Ola Building

Phone: (808) 586-4294
Fax: (808) 586-4300

When Visiting Oahu Office: Please note that you’ll be stopped at the guard shack, please tell the guard that you are visiting the Wastewater Branch office in the Hale Ola Building. Once you pass the guard shack, just follow the road all the way up and the building will be at the top. Parking is free! You can park on the road or in the guest parking lot.