Aqua Engineers outlines wastewater options for Kilauea, flags high costs and technical hurdles

Aqua Engineers representatives told the Kilauea Neighborhood Association on April 4 that communities serving more than small clusters will likely need centralized wastewater systems and significant capital investment. Hugh Strom, identified in the minutes as "Sr. VP," said more than 50 units typically trigger the need for a wastewater-treatment system and cited construction cost ranges recorded in the meeting notes as "$20-$30 / gallon" and a separate example of "2.5 million gallons of R-1 effluent" used for irrigation.

Michele Emura, recorded as a marketing specialist, described potential reuse options and energy recovery technologies including biodigestion using sludge and restaurant grease. The minutes record a feasibility discussion specific to Kilauea: an on-the-record figure in the minutes reads "500,000 million gallons" tied to an estimate of about 1,100 units and the suggestion that two sewage-treatment plants might be required; the minutes do not provide a clarified engineering estimate.

Board members pressed for local detail. Charlie Martin asked about the economics of individual treatment systems and operator licensing; the minutes note that individual systems can be economical in some areas but require licensed operators and ongoing maintenance. Vice President Ron Paul urged Aqua Engineers and the board to examine electrical, chemical, labor and reserve-capital implications for Kilauea before pursuing a district-scale solution.

The presentation also contrasted system types and siting economics, noting a cited figure of "$500 per linear foot" for some infrastructure comparisons and mentioning higher per-home figures cited for Honolulu in the minutes ("$300-$500 per gallon per home" is recorded in the meeting notes). The association did not adopt a formal motion on wastewater at this meeting and asked staff and committee members to collect more localized cost and feasibility data before returning with options.