Federal grants could help eligible Hawaii households replace home cesspools

The federal administrator could award grants covering 75% of eligible wastewater costs. Hawaii or capable stakeholder organizations managing local wastewater systems could receive grants. Eligible work includes replacing cesspools, connecting homes to sewage treatment, and building shared systems. Grants could also support wastewater job training, technical help, and education and advocacy. Grants would depend on funding being provided. After consulting Hawaii, the administrator would give priority to cesspool projects posing the greatest risks to people and the environment.

The proposal would authorize Congress to provide $20 million a year for the program. The money would support the Hawaii cesspool and wastewater grant program. Congress would still need to provide the money. The administrator could use up to 2% of the money made available each year to run the program. The funding authorization would apply to each fiscal year from 2028 through 2032.