The County of Hawai‘i will receive $1,376,067 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support wastewater treatment. This funding covers eight new emergency power generators, helping to ensure wastewater treatment plants and sewer pump stations remain functional during a natural hazard or severe weather event. The project was submitted under the DR-4366 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

“This was a great team effort involving the offices of the County of Hawai`i, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA), and FEMA,” said Larry Kanda, Disaster Assistance Mitigation Planner. “It took a while to get all the pieces in place, but this will help keep Hawaii’s streets accessible, our oceans and coasts clean, and our `ohana healthy when the power goes out.”

The eight generators, four stationary and four trailer-mounted, will be installed at the following locations.

• Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant

• Kolea Sewer Pump Station

• Kulaimanu Wastewater Treatment Plant

• Onekahakaha Sewer Pump Station

• Papaikou Wastewater Treatment Plant

• Pauka‘a Sewer Pump Station

• Wailua Sewer Pump Station

• Wailuku Sewer Pump Station