ACT 125
THE 2050 COUNTDOWN
In 2017, Hawaiʻi passed House Bill 1244, Act 125 — mandating the replacement of every cesspool in the state by 2050. Here's what Kauaʻi property owners need to know, and how we help you get into compliance without the headache.
WHAT IS
ACT 125?
Act 125 requires every cesspool in the state of Hawaiʻi to be replaced — converted to a septic system, an aerobic treatment unit, or connected to a municipal sewer — by January 1, 2050.
While 2050 sounds far away, the logistical, regulatory, and financial reality is that tens of thousands of property owners across Hawaiʻi are competing for permits, engineers, and excavation crews. The earlier you start, the less you'll pay and the fewer surprises you'll hit.
On Kauaʻi alone, an estimated 14,000 cesspools are still in use — second only to the Big Island. The infrastructure for municipal sewer connections doesn't reach most of our island, which means the vast majority of Kauaʻi property owners will need to install an Individual Wastewater System on their land.
HAWAIʻI CESSPOOLS BY THE NUMBERS
Cesspools statewide
Cesspools on Kauaʻi
Gallons of raw sewage released into the ground every day
Classified Priority Level 1 — greatest contamination hazard
CESSPOOLS ARE
HOLES IN THE GROUND
A cesspool is, quite literally, an unlined hole that receives raw sewage and lets it seep into the surrounding soil. There is no treatment, no filtration, and no barrier between your wastewater and Kauaʻi's groundwater, streams, and shoreline.
Groundwater Contamination
Nitrates from cesspool wastewater leach into aquifers — the same aquifers that supply Kauaʻi's drinking water.
Public Health Risk
Cesspool effluent carries bacteria and viruses linked to cholera, salmonellosis, hepatitis, and elevated cancer risk.
Reef & Property Damage
Excess nutrients damage offshore reefs and ecosystems. Properties on cesspools also see lower resale value.
FROM CESSPOOL TO COMPLIANT
There is no "one size fits all" solution. Soil, lot size, topography, rainfall, and proximity to wells and waterways all shape the right system for your property. Here's how we walk you through it.
Site Assessment
On-site evaluation, percolation test, and topographical survey to determine soil absorption and the right system size and placement.
Design & Permits
We design specs unique to your property, then draft and submit plans to the County of Kauaʻi for all required permitting.
Excavation & Install
Our crew handles the dig, the tank, the leach field, and the restoration — typically 1–3 days on site with less disruption to your land.
Inspection & Sign-Off
We coordinate the required inspections with the County and the DOH Wastewater Branch and document final approval for your records.
WHY START NOW
The Kauaʻi County Residential Cesspool Conversion Grant Program closed September 27, 2024, and the State of Hawaiʻi cesspool conversion income tax credit has expired. We track program status on our grants and tax credits page and will update it as legislation changes.
If financing is a concern, we can point you toward private lending resources we work with during your free site assessment.
As 2050 approaches, demand for permits, engineers, and excavation crews will spike. Costs will rise. Wait times will stretch into years. Property owners who start now lock in today's pricing and avoid the rush.
And if your cesspool is already failing — collapsing, backing up, or producing odor — the County may force the conversion on its own timeline, not yours.
READY TO GET STARTED?
We handle the permits, the excavation, the install, and the inspections. You get a compliant Individual Wastewater System and your weekend back.