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CESSPOOL, SEPTIC SYSTEM, OR SEWER?
By Carol C. Cummings, R/CRS/GRI/SRES - Kauai Realty, Inc.
Sewage disposal. Probably not the most pleasant subject, but nonetheless, a very important component of home ownership.
To keep the subject simple, there are basically three types of waste disposal for residential properties on Kauai….cesspool, septic system, or sewer system.
Cesspools, which are also called "drywells", are underground holes used throughout Hawaii for the disposal of human waste. Raw, untreated sewage is discharged directly into a covered pit in the ground. The hole was dug, depth determined by soil percolation and water table. If the cesspool was located in sandy soil, cement rings were installed to support the integrity of drywell. The cesspool was capped with a cement plate, which contained a removable access cover for pumping and/or treatment. Up until about 20 years ago, all houses not part of a sewer system community, were built with cesspools for waste disposal. Occasionally, a property was fitted with a “double cesspool”…two drywells connected with an overflow line.
Individual Septic Systems are considered a more sophisticated system of waste disposal because of the 3 main components:
- 1) an underground septic tank, which stores and begins to treat the solid waste
- 2) a distribution system, which distributes the liquid effluent over a large area of soil
- 3) a soil absorption field, which absorbs the effluent and treats is by natural physical and biological processes.
Septic systems need to be designed by a licensed engineer, approved by the State of Hawaii Department of Health, and installed by a state certified contractor. Septic systems are designed with manholes and inspection ports. When purchasing a home with a septic system, be sure to obtain all design/location information.
Sewer Systems
On Kaua`i, there are both public (County of Kauai) and private sewer systems. Raw sewage is taken from homes to a sewage treatment plant via underground sewer lines. At the sewage treatment plant, the raw sewage goes through chemical and biological processing and then dispersed through off shore lines or treated sewage can be used for landscape and/or golf course irrigation. Traditionally, homeowners pay the service provider a monthly fee for the sewage disposal service.
Government Regulation
The State of Hawaii is in the Federal government’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9. EPA Region 9 is responsible for implementing the regulations in Hawaii and works with the Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) to ensure effective implementation of laws and regulations governing sewage disposal.
Conclusion
When considering home ownership on Kaua`i, consider the type of waste disposal system the property has. Take in to account the age and condition of the system, maintenance procedures, and cost of the service. If the property has a cesspool or septic system, explore the possibility of having the waste system examined by a professional during the due diligence period. Good research may prevent a smelly situation in the future!
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