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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Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR)

Chapter 11-61 (PDF )
Wastewater Treatment Plant Personnel Certification
Effective January 2, 2002
Chapter 11-62 (PDF )
Wastewater Systems
Amendment Effective March 21, 2016
searchable version (PDF )
Unofficial searchable and referenceable HTML version
Act 224 from the 2025 Hawaii Session Laws (PDF )
Amendment to HRS 342D that changes the number of dwellings allowed for an IWS
Chapter 11-62, Section 11-62-03 “Bedroom” Definitions Guidance (PDF )
Please visit the website of the Office of Planning, Policy and Program Development to find other Hawaii Administrative Rules.

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Quick Links

What sort of Wastewater System do I have?

What is my Tax Map Key (TMK) number?

Financial Support Programs for Cesspool Conversion

Engineers: Submittal Portal for IWS Approval

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Announcements

Icon indicating a new Item Redesign of eHawaii portal for submitting IWS applications.

Icon indicating a new Item New Cesspool Conversion Loan Program passed in the 2026 Legislative Session. Click here to find out where to get more information.

Icon indicating a new Item New page to clarify what IWS technology is allowed. Can be found in the IWS Engineer Resources.

New Cesspool Conversion Implementation Working Group now holding meetings

New Design for Wastewater/Sludge Pumper and Hauler Placard

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

Programs

Cesspools

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

General Info

Cesspool Conversion Implementation Working Group (CCIWG)

Cesspool Conversion Working Group (CCWG)

OSDS Survey and Assessment Studies

Financial Support Programs for Cesspool Conversion

Individual Wastewater Systems (IWS) [Except Cesspools]

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

Engineer Resources

Homeowner Resources

Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW)

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.

Engineer Resources

Operator Resources

Owner Resources

Recycled Water Program

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.

Annual Results

Reuse-Water Users Resources

Gray-Water Resources

Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Program

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

Environmental Review Public Notices

Proposed Project for SRF Funding Form

Board of Certification (BOC)

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

Meeting and Minutes

Operator Certification

Continuing Education

Pumper and Haulers

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

Registration Instructions

List of Registered Pumper Haulers

Biosolids Reuse

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.

Non-Domestic Wastewater

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 )

Land Use

Standard comments for land use planning documents, like Environmental Assessment (EA), Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), or permit applications:

Land Use Planning Review Website

Records Request

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.

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

2827 Waimano Home Road, Ste 207
Pearl City, Hawaii 96782

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

Maui Office

54 High Street, Room 300
Wailuku, Hawaii 96793

Phone: (808) 984-8232

Hilo Office

1582 Kamehameha Avenue
Hilo, Hawaii 96720

Phone: (808) 933-0401

Kona Office

Keakealani Building
79-1020 Haukapila Street, Room 115
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96750

Phone: (808) 322-1963

Kauai Office

3040 Umi Street
Lihue, Hawaii 96766

Phone: (808) 241-3321

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.