Cesspool to Septic Conversion in Hawaiʻi – Part Two

When I wrote about my first hand experience with the cesspool to septic system conversion that all Hawaiʻi homeowners with cesspools will need to complete by 2050, I forgot one important step: decommissioning the old cesspool!

Backhoe at work decommissioning the old cesspool on my property

Remind Me – Why Do I Need to Convert From Cesspool to Septic in Hawaiʻi?

A State law passed in 2017 requires that all cesspools be converted to septic systems or the homes be connected to a sewer line by 2050. If you want to wait, no problem. In all likelihood there will be new, better, less expensive options in 20 years as the deadline approaches. On the other hand, if you add or remodel your home and that addition or remodel significantly changes your plumbing (especially if you add a bathroom), expect that the County will make converting to septic a condition of permit approval.

Thatʻs what I was doing, so at the same time I submitted my building permit application to the County for my remodel, I had an engineer draw up and submit plans to the State of Hawaiʻi for the cesspool to septic conversion.

What Happens to the Old Cesspool – Can I Just Leave It?

When you bought your Hawaiʻi property you received a Sellers Real Property Disclosure Statement identifying anything and everything that could materially affect the value of the property. One section on that form provides details about the waste water system serving the property, whether it is a public or private sewer, or an individual waste water system (cesspool or septic system).

This section of the required Sellers Real Property Disclosure Statement specifically asks about abandoned cesspools or septic systems.

Remember a cesspool is basically a big hole in the ground with a concrete cover. Once it is no longer in use, there is a more than average chance that over time — or in a worst case scenario all at once while your pickup truck happens to be parked right on top of it — it will begin sink in. To avoid that potential issue, the bid I got for septic installation included decommissioning the cesspool.

Essentially, that means the cesspool was located and opened up:

The cesspool cover was a bit deteriorated, but not bad for over four decades in service!

Then we called the company that will provide pumping service for my new septic system and had them pump any remaining moisture and waste from the cesspool:

The cesspool had never been pumped. The new septic system will probably need service every five years.

And finally, once it was empty and dry, the old cesspool was completely backfilled so there will not be a danger of future collapse:

The grass will fill in and the location of the old cesspool is now safe to drive over and park on.

And yes, I see looking at the photo above that my macadamia nut orchard and the fence around it need some attention. There is always a next project when you buy a home on acreage in Hawaiʻi!