What to Do When You Get a DOH Cesspool Notification Letter
A DOH cesspool notification letter means your property has been identified in Hawaiʻi's statewide cesspool conversion process. Save the letter, confirm the property information, and gather basic records such as TMK, address, water source, bedrooms, and any old wastewater drawings.
What does the DOH cesspool notification mean?
The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) sends these letters when your property has been flagged as having an active cesspool — an older wastewater system that absorbs household wastewater directly into the soil. Cesspools were legal and common decades ago, but they are now known to contaminate groundwater, streams, and ocean reefs with untreated wastewater.
Under Hawaiʻi state law (Act 125), all cesspools on Hawaiʻi Island must be converted or closed by January 1, 2050. Priority is tied to environmental and public-health risk. The Hawaiʻi Cesspool Prioritization Tool ranks cesspools by location and potential impact before the 2050 deadline.
Do I need to convert my cesspool right away?
You generally have time to plan. Action becomes urgent in these situations:
You're selling or refinancing your property. A cesspool can complicate a sale, refinance, inspection, or buyer negotiation because people may ask about conversion cost, timing, risk, and compliance. An engineer assessment gives the owner clearer information before listing, negotiating, remodeling, or planning future work.
Your cesspool is failing. Overflow, sewage odors around the yard, or unusually lush grass patches above the pit are all signs of a problem.
The DOH letter specifies a deadline. Some notifications include a compliance timeline based on your property's environmental risk level.
If none of these apply to you, you still have time. Starting early means more options and less stress later.
What are my options?
Option 1: Convert to a septic or aerobic treatment system
This is the most common solution. A licensed civil engineer designs an Individual Wastewater System (IWS) for your property, usually a modern septic tank with a leach field. Some properties need more advanced aerobic treatment units depending on soil and slope conditions. The engineer handles the design, submits it to the DOH for permitting, and oversees installation.
Option 2: Connect to a municipal sewer system
If your property is within range of an existing sewer line and Hawaiʻi County offers connection in your area, this can be simpler. Parts of Hilo and Kailua-Kona have sewer access. Rural areas like North Kohala or Kaʻū typically do not.
What should I do first?
Do not ignore the letter. Even if you're not ready to act now, keep it somewhere safe. It contains information about your property's wastewater status that will matter later.
Figure out where your cesspool is. Note whether there are any signs of failure around the yard and what your plans are for the property long-term.
Talk to someone who knows the process. The cesspool-to-septic conversion involves an engineer, a permit from DOH, and an installer. Coordinating all three yourself is possible but stressful. That's exactly why Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help exists: we connect homeowners with licensed engineers and local installers so you do not have to figure out who calls whom.
Ask about costs early. Every property is different, and the total cost depends on your soil type, slope, available space, and what kind of system fits. Getting a realistic estimate before committing saves money and surprise later.
Common questions homeowners ask right after getting the letter
"Is this going to cost me a fortune?"
Cesspool conversion costs vary by property. Simpler sites with good soil conditions are on the lower end. Rocky ground, steep slopes, or tight spaces drive costs up. The key is getting an engineer assessment before you know what you're dealing with. Guessing from online numbers is not reliable for your specific situation.
"Can I just fill the cesspool in?"
No. Simply filling a cesspool without converting to an approved wastewater system violates state law and can create serious health hazards. The DOH requires that every property have a functioning, permitted wastewater system before a cesspool is closed.
"What happens if I do nothing?"
If you wait until 2050 with no plan, you may face limited options and higher costs. An aging cesspool can fail at any time, creating property damage, health risks, and emergency repairs that cost far more than planned conversion.
"Will this affect my property value?"
A cesspool can complicate a sale, refinance, inspection, or buyer negotiation because people may ask about conversion cost, timing, risk, and compliance. An engineer assessment gives the owner clearer information before listing, negotiating, remodeling, or planning future work.
The bottom line
Getting a DOH cesspool notification letter is not the end of the world. It's an opportunity to take care of a problem before it becomes urgent. The sooner you understand your options, the more control you have over timing, cost, and outcome.
If you want help figuring out your next step without any commitment, contact Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help. It takes about two minutes to tell us about your situation, and we'll connect you with the right engineer for your property.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or engineering advice. Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help coordinates between homeowners and licensed professionals — we do not provide engineering services directly.