DOH Underground Storage Tanks Regulation Changes
The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) is currently working on updates to its underground storage tank regulations, including EPA mandated changes to make the state regulations at least as stringent as the federal underground storage tank rules by October 2018. DOH will be hosting public informational meetings on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, and Kauaʻi over the next few weeks. These meetings are informal, informational, and will mainly address the FAQ's, additional questions they have received, and will open it up for further questions if time allows.
You can view the draft proposed regulations here.
The Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi is pleased that the Department of Health is undergoing rule changes and in general believes that the draft proposed rules are a step in the right direction—requiring all underground storage tanks to minimize potential harm on the environment. That said, we are disappointed that the most crucial updates and regulations will not be applicable to field constructed tanks, like those at Red Hill, for 20 years. We cannot wait another 20 years for critical upgrades and leak prevention and detection systems to be installed on tanks with a leaky history that constantly threaten our drinking water. Upcoming public informational meetings:Hilo, HawaiʻiWednesday, January 17, 10am-12pm @ Hawaiʻi District Health Office - Hilo, 75 Aupuni Street #201, Hilo, HI 96720Honolulu, OʻahuFriday, January 19, 10am-12pm @ 919 Ala Moana Blvd, 5th floor, Honolulu, HI 96814Kailua-Kona, HawaiʻiTuesday, January 23, 10am-12pm @ West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, Liquor Control Conference Room Building, 2nd Floor, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740Honolulu, OʻahuMonday, January 22, 10am-12pm @ 919 Ala Moana Blvd, 5th floor, Honolulu, HI 96814Wailuku, MauiThursday, January 25, 10am-12pm @ Wailuku State Office Bldg., 54 High St., 3rd Floor Conference Room B, Wailuku, HI 96793Kapolei, OʻahuMonday, January 29, 8:30-10:30am @ State Office Building - Kakuhihewa, 601 Kamokila Blvd., Room 577 A&B, Kapolei, HI 96707Lihue, KauaʻiThursday, February 1, 9-11am, Kauaʻi District Health Office, 3040 Umi Street, Bld. 101, Lihue, HI 96766For more updates on the Red Hill Water Security issue subscribe to our email list here.