The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency could force the City and County of Honolulu to build additional capacity for its secondary wastewater treatment by refusing to renew a Clean Water Act waiver that allows water screening, grit removal and settling to be discharged at sea. EPA's tentative decision, issued March 28, could become final on May 29 when the comment period ends.
EPA's refusal is based on the conclusion that the 27-million-gallon-per-day (MGD) Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant does not meet water quality standards to allow for recreational activities, protection of fish and wildlife and protection of human life, says John Kemmer, associate director of the Water Division in EPA Region 9, San Francisco. Studies showed excessive discharges of both total suspended solids (TSS) and biochemical oxygen demands (BODs) from the plant through the Barbers Point deep ocean outfall 8,760 ft from shore, according to the EPA report. Under the Clean Water Act 30-day averages of TSS and BOD may not exceed 30 milligrams per liter.