How do I convert my cesspool to a septic system on Hawaiʻi Island

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health explains that the first step is to hire a Hawaiʻi licensed civil engineer to design a new individual wastewater system such as a septic system or aerobic treatment unit. The engineer prepares a design that meets state rules and submits it with permit forms to the Department of Health or County as required. After permit approval a licensed contractor installs the new system closes the cesspool and schedules any required inspections before final approval to use the new system.

What are the main steps in a cesspool conversion in Hawaii

The typical steps are site check and records review with an engineer, design of a compliant individual wastewater system, permit application and review, construction by a licensed contractor, inspection and final approval, then closure of the old cesspool. On Hawaiʻi Island homeowners are responsible for hiring the engineer and contractor and for paying the project costs, although grants or tax relief may offset part of the cost when available.

Which law requires cesspools to be converted by 2050 in Hawaii

Act 125 passed in 2017 requires every cesspool in the state of Hawaiʻi to be upgraded converted or connected to an approved wastewater system by the year 2050. The state and University of Hawaiʻi created a hazard and prioritization tool that ranks cesspools and sets earlier recommended timelines for high priority locations close to drinking water and the ocean.

When am I required to upgrade my cesspool

All cesspools must be converted by 2050. Many owners will need to upgrade earlier when a property is sold when a house is substantially renovated when the cesspool fails or when it lies in a high priority area near water resources. Department of Health county offices and the Hawaiʻi cesspool prioritization maps give guidance about local timelines and triggers.

Do I need a civil engineer to convert my cesspool

Yes. Department of Health guidance states that the first step in upgrading or replacing a cesspool is to hire a Hawaii licensed civil engineer. The engineer designs an individual wastewater system that meets state rules, prepares the permit package and may help coordinate with the contractor and regulators.

What is an individual wastewater system in Hawaii

An individual wastewater system in Hawaii is a private onsite system that treats and disposes of wastewater from a single home or small group of buildings. For cesspool conversions the usual options are a septic system with a tank and leach field or an aerobic treatment unit with a disposal field. The design must follow the Department of Health wastewater rules and be approved before construction.

How much does it cost to convert a cesspool to a septic system on Hawaiʻi Island

Costs vary with access soil conditions lot size slope rock depth groundwater depth and whether a simple septic system or a more advanced system is needed. Hawaii guides and homeowner reports often describe project totals from the low tens of thousands of dollars upward for complex sites. Only a site visit and design by a licensed engineer and quotes from local installers can provide a realistic estimate for a specific property.

How long does a cesspool conversion project take from start to finish

From first contact to final approval many projects take several months. Time is spent gathering records and site information, having an engineer prepare and submit a design, waiting for permit review, scheduling earthwork and installation and completing inspections. In periods of heavy demand permit review and contractor schedules can add more time which is why state and county agencies encourage owners to start well before any deadline.

What permits are needed to convert a cesspool on Hawaiʻi Island

At minimum an individual wastewater system approval from the Department of Health Wastewater Branch is required. County building or plumbing permits may also be needed for excavation plumbing and electrical work. The engineer usually prepares the Department of Health forms and design package while the contractor may handle county building permit applications with support from the engineer.

Who pays for cesspool conversion in Hawaii

Private landowners are responsible for closing their cesspools and paying for connection to an approved wastewater system, unless a grant program, tax credit or special funding source reduces their share. Some owners may qualify for state grants, tax benefits or federal rural programs, but even with assistance homeowners often pay a large part of the cost themselves.

Are there grants or tax credits for cesspool conversion in Hawaii

Hawaiʻi has offered several financial support tools including a cesspool pilot grant program that reimbursed part of the cost for a limited number of homeowners and state income tax credits that reduce the cost of upgrades to qualifying cesspools. Lawmakers have considered bills to extend and expand these programs, and amounts and eligibility rules can change. Homeowners should check the current Department of Health financial support page and review any active tax credit or grant programs before they start work.

What is the Hawaiʻi cesspool hazard and prioritization tool

The Hawaiʻi Cesspool Prioritization Tool is an online map created by the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant program and the state that ranks each cesspool by its risk to groundwater, drinking water and nearshore waters. The maps show priority levels and recommended timelines so owners and policymakers can see which areas should convert first in order to protect water quality and public health.

What happens if I do not convert my cesspool by the deadline

Act 125 sets a legal requirement that all cesspools in the state be upgraded converted or connected to an approved system by 2050 with earlier expectations for high priority areas. Owners who fail to comply risk enforcement actions, limits on property use, future sale complications and potential liability if their cesspool harms water resources. Details of penalties and enforcement are set by law and Department of Health rules and may change as new programs are adopted.

Can I connect to a sewer instead of installing a septic system

In locations with an accessible public sewer it may be possible to abandon the cesspool and connect to the sewer system instead of building a new septic system. This still requires design review and permits and costs depend on distance to the sewer main and road and utility work. In rural areas without nearby sewer, a septic system or aerobic treatment unit with disposal field is usually required.

Does converting a cesspool increase property value

Many buyers and lenders see a modern permitted wastewater system as a positive feature because it reduces future legal risk and environmental impact. Some agencies already require disclosure when a property has a cesspool, especially if it appears in the state priority maps. Upgrading now can remove a future obstacle for sale and may make a property more attractive in a market where more buyers are aware of the 2050 requirement.

How do cesspools affect drinking water and coral reefs

Cesspools simply collect and dispose of raw wastewater without treatment. They can release millions of gallons of sewage into the ground every day across the state. This can send pathogens and nutrients into groundwater that supplies most of Hawaiʻi drinking water and into streams and the ocean where it can damage coral reefs and harm people who swim and fish. This public health and environmental impact is the main reason the state is phasing cesspools out.

What types of systems can replace a cesspool in Hawaii

The Department of Health recognizes several individual wastewater system types. For most homes the practical options are a conventional septic system with a tank and leach field or an aerobic treatment unit that treats wastewater before it reaches the disposal area. In some locations connection to a public sewer is possible. The engineer chooses the appropriate system type based on soil tests, groundwater depth, lot size, setbacks and state rules.

Who inspects and approves my new septic system in Hawaiʻi

Wastewater system designs and as built information are reviewed and approved by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health Wastewater Branch and in some counties also by county building and plumbing officials. The engineer and contractor typically coordinate inspections. When construction is complete and the system passes inspection the Department of Health issues final approval to use the new system and the cesspool can be properly closed.

What information should I gather before talking to an engineer about cesspool conversion

Useful information includes the tax map key for the property, any existing permits or as built drawings, past septic or cesspool approvals, number of bedrooms and plumbing fixtures, water source, photos or sketches of the current cesspool location, and any site constraints such as steep slopes, rock outcrops or limited yard space. The more complete the information, the easier it is for an engineer to propose realistic options and rough cost ranges.

Can I phase a cesspool conversion over time

Design and permit approval must cover the full system, but some owners plan cash flow by separating costs into stages. For example they may pay for design and permits first then schedule installation during a later dry season or after funding is confirmed. However once construction starts the system needs to be completed and inspected promptly to protect health and safety. Owners should discuss any phasing ideas with their engineer and contractor before they apply for permits.

Why should I work with a coordination service for cesspool conversion on Hawaiʻi Island

Homeowners often feel overwhelmed by the number of calls and decisions needed to move from a cesspool to a modern system. A coordination service like Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help collects the project details once, matches the homeowner with a licensed civil engineer who works in that district and introduces local installers who understand local conditions. This can save time, reduce miscommunication and help the project move steadily from the first questions through final approval.

What does Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help do for homeowners

Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help is a free coordination service for homeowners on Hawaiʻi Island. The service gathers information about the property and existing cesspool, helps prepare a clear project file, connects the owner with a local licensed civil engineer for design and then introduces trusted installers who work in the same district. The homeowner always chooses who to hire while the coordination service focuses on clear communication and timelines.

Is Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help an engineer or contractor

Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help is not an engineering firm and does not install systems. It is a coordination service. Licensed civil engineers provide designs that meet state rules and independent local contractors install the systems. The coordination service brings the right parties together and keeps the process organized while the licensed professionals handle design and construction.

Which areas of Hawaiʻi Island does Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help cover

Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help focuses on the island of Hawaiʻi including Hilo, Puna, Kaʻū, Kona, Kohala and Hāmākua. The goal is to match each homeowner with engineers and installers who already work in that district and understand local conditions, access issues and permit expectations.

How is Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help free for homeowners

The service operates as part of a coordinated network funded by the licensed engineers and installers that take on projects. That means homeowners can receive project coordination without extra charges or markups on top of normal engineering and construction fees. Homeowners only pay the professionals they choose to hire for design and installation.

Can Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help assist if my cesspool was damaged by a storm or other event

If a cesspool fails, floods or is damaged by a storm or other event, the property owner still must meet Department of Health requirements for safe wastewater handling. Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help can help the owner connect quickly with a licensed engineer and local contractors who can evaluate the site and propose compliant replacement options so that health and environmental risks are reduced as soon as possible.

Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help

Trusted coordination for cesspool to septic conversions on Hawaiʻi Island

We simplify the process and connect you with licensed professionals

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Every district covered • Hilo, Puna, Kaʻū, Kona, Kohala, Hāmākua

Every engineer we coordinate with holds an active Hawaiʻi PE license verified with the state. We match you with someone familiar with your district and timeline.

Under Act 125 all cesspools in Hawaiʻi must be converted by 2050. Permit waits can run months so starting early helps avoid delays.

Why homeowners choose Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help

One coordinator • One clear process • We connect you with licensed engineers and trusted installers for a compliant timely conversion.

Engineer coordination

We collect project details and connect you with a local licensed civil engineer for a compliant design.

Installer options

We introduce trusted local installers who work your district and site type.

Simple hand off

You choose how to proceed We keep communication clear and timelines moving.

How we help

We act as your single point of coordination linking the right licensed engineer and the right installer for your site.

Our focus is clean water and timely conversions across every district on the island.

Homeowner near Kona reviewing septic design plans with a local engineer

Your coordination path

Tell us who you are

Open your file on the next page.

Engineer match

We connect you with a licensed civil engineer who works your district and site type.

Installer options

We introduce trusted local installers so you can choose how to proceed.

How we vet our partners

License verification with the state, District familiarity and recent work history, Designs aligned with DOH and County requirements, Clear communication and timelines

Hawaii Cesspool Help coordination team portrait

About Us

Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help is a local coordination service for homeowners on Hawaiʻi Island. Our team has more than 50 years of combined experience in construction, drafting, and engineering in Hawaiʻi. We live on island and work directly with local licensed engineers and trusted installers to move projects forward.

Each project protects our island’s water one conversion at a time.

Frequently asked questions

How is this free for homeowners?

We operate as part of a coordinated network funded by licensed engineers and installers allowing homeowners to access free project coordination without added cost or markup.

Are you an engineer or a contractor?

No, we are a coordination service. Licensed civil engineers provide designs and independent local contractors handle installation. We organize the steps and keep communication clear

What do you do with my information?

We share your file only with the single licensed engineer and any installer you choose. We never sell data.

Which areas do you cover?

Hilo, Puna, Kaʻū, Kona, Kohala, Hāmākua • All over the island of Hawaiʻi

Official resources

Hawaiʻi DOH Wastewater Branch

Hawaiʻi Cesspool Prioritization Tool

EPA on cesspools in Hawaiʻi