Approval to Construct Through Final Approval
Approval to construct allows work to begin on the design accepted by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH). Before closeout, the project needs the required professional documentation and written approval to use.
Approval to construct is permission to build the approved design
When the Hawaiʻi Department of Health Wastewater Branch accepts the individual wastewater system (IWS) plans for construction, work can begin on that design. Written approval to use comes later, after construction and closeout review. Field changes may need the engineer's review and additional agency approval.
Keep the approved plans and approval letter available to the engineer and contractor. If site conditions force a change, the engineer should determine whether the change can be accepted and documented or needs additional agency review.
Confirm the licensed professionals involved
The contractor's license must cover the work being performed. Plumbing or electrical work may require additional licensed trades. Current license information is available through the Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
The contractor builds the system. The engineer handles the design and the construction inspection documentation required within the engineer's scope.
Construction inspection and field documentation
DOH's IWS guidance calls for construction inspection by the licensed civil engineer. Closeout includes the engineer's construction inspection report and the contractor certification required by DOH.
Photographs, measurements, product information, delivery records, and notes taken before components are covered can help document what was installed. The exact documentation needed should be coordinated with the project engineer before backfilling.
Resolve discrepancies before closeout
The engineer documents whether construction matches the approved plans and records accepted changes in the closeout materials. DOH may require discrepancies or missing information to be resolved before issuing written approval to use.
A completed installation or contractor inspection does not by itself establish that DOH has approved the system for use. Keep the written agency approval with the property records.
Approval to use is the final operating authorization
DOH reviews the required closeout materials before issuing an approval to use letter. The agency's IWS guidance identifies the engineer's construction inspection report and contractor certification as part of that closeout.
Keep the approval to use letter, approved plans, record drawing, inspection report, contractor certification, equipment information, and maintenance agreement together with the property records.
A practical closeout checklist
- Confirm that the contractor and any specialty trades hold active licenses for their work.
- Give the contractor the approved plans and coordinate inspection points with the engineer.
- Ask the engineer to review field changes before affected work is covered.
- Have the engineer complete the final inspection and record drawing documentation.
- Confirm that the contractor certification is signed and complete.
- Keep the written DOH approval to use with the final project records.
Have an approval question?
Send the address or tax map key and tell us which approval or inspection stage you are dealing with. We will help connect you with the appropriate professional.
Official sources
- Hawaiʻi Department of Health Wastewater Branch: Individual Wastewater Systems
- Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules Chapter 11-62, unofficial searchable version
- Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs professional and vocational licensing search
Send Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help the basic property information you have. We will connect you with a licensed professional who can review the project stage and explain the next steps.