EPA Takes Action: Grove Farm and Hawaii Gas Face Penalties for Illegal Cesspools on Kauai

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fined two groups on Kauai. The EPA fined Grove Farm Company Inc. and The Gas Company (Hawaii Gas). They ran illegal large-capacity cesspools in Lihue. The law banned these cesspools in April 2005. The cesspools leak untreated sewage into soil and streams.

Large-capacity cesspools hurt groundwater, streams, and oceans. They spread germs, chemicals, and drugs into our water. The EPA works hard to close these cesspools across the state.

Grove Farm must pay $58,716. It will close seven large cesspools around Lihue. These cesspools serve bathrooms at the Puhi Building on Kuhio Highway, Kauai Motorsports on Kaumualii Highway, and the Hanamaulu Shops. Grove Farm will join six small cesspools near the Puhi Building to the sewer. This work costs about $96,000. The company will check all its state properties to find and stop other illegal cesspools.

Hawaii Gas must pay $45,840 for one large cesspool at a gas storage and showroom on Rice Street. The company has already closed that cesspool. It will change two small cesspools at houses in Waialua into approved septic systems. This work will cost at least $115,000. Amy Miller, the EPA director for the Pacific Southwest Enforcement and Compliance Assurance group, said the EPA will keep closing illegal cesspools in Hawaii. She said each closed cesspool moves the state toward cleaner groundwater, coasts, and beaches. In the past 20 years, the EPA closed more than 3,900 illegal cesspools in the state and collected about $5.6 million in fines. More than 1,000 illegal cesspools still exist and need work.

The actions on Kauai show that property owners and businesses must follow rules that protect Hawaii’s health and nature. As Hawaii stops unsafe wastewater practices, these steps help keep water clean, protect marine life, and secure safe drinking water for all.

The EPA’s firm action shows residents and visitors that work to end illegal cesspools will go on until Hawaii has safe and steady water management.