EPA requires U.S. Navy to close cesspools at Pearl Harbor.
Pearl Harbor.
"All large capacity cesspools must be closed to protect Hawaii’s drinking water and coastal resources," said Alexis Strauss, EPA’s Acting Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest.
"As a result of our action, Pearl Harbor has replaced its remaining large cesspools with approved wastewater treatment systems."
The Navy closed six cesspools in 2012, but failed to close the remaining three in a timely manner.
The three respective cesspools served a total of about 160 people at three facilities: a munitions storage area, a hangar and a troop mobilization area.
The Navy has since properly closed the remaining three non-compliant cesspools.
Cesspools collect and discharge untreated raw sewage into the ground, where disease-causing pathogens and harmful chemicals can contaminate groundwater, streams and the ocean.
The ban does not apply to single-family homes connected to individual cesspools.
For more information on this specific agreement visit: https://www.epa.gov/uic/hawaii-cesspools-administrative-orders#oahu.