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SB2085
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
2085
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to water catchment systems
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION 1.
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The legislature finds that the State
continues to face a severe potable water shortage.
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Recent high-profile petroleum leaks at the
Red Hill bulk fuel storage facility underscore the fragility of the State's
water system.
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As recently as December
2021, the board of water supply of the city and county of Honolulu was forced
to take precautionary measures and shut down the H
a
lawa
Shaft, H
a
lawa Wells, and Aiea Wells amid
concerns arising from contamination of the nearby Navy water distribution
system coupled with drought conditions.
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The
legislature further finds that access to water is a prerequisite to addressing
many of the State's current problems relating to developing affordable housing,
empowering local businesses, diversifying the economy, and improving the
economic stability of the State's most vulnerable residents.
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Therefore, the State must pursue innovative
solutions to decrease use of the State's limited aquifers, including the use of
water catchment systems.
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The
legislature further finds that water catchment systems help to capture and
utilize rainwater more efficiently and keep existing state water
infrastructure, including both municipal water and stormwater systems, in
working order.
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In 2017, the Journal of
Contemporary Water Research and Education published an article entitled
"Survey of Rainwater Catchment Use and Practices on Hawaii Island",
which states that "[u]p to 60,000 people in the state of Hawaii were
estimated to be dependent on rainwater catchment as their primary domestic
water source in 2010", with the majority of people dependent upon captured
water living on Hawaii island.
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The
legislature further finds that water catchment systems can supplement potable
water systems, conserving natural resources while serving as the sole daily
water source for people living in rural districts.
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However, existing law
allows captured water for personal uses only and prohibits the use of captured
water for business activities.
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A
lack of nearby commercial kitchens and county water infrastructure in
underserved rural areas
inherently disadvantages local
businesses and contributes to unviable local business conditions.
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The
legislature further finds that the department of health recommends following
the
university of Hawaii at Manoa college of tropical agriculture
and human resilience's
revised
2020 rainwater catchment systems guidelines.
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The design, maintenance, and treatment
guidelines outline a safe process for utilizing water captured for personal use
that can be appropriately applied to business activities under certain
regulatory conditions
.
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Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to establish a working group within the department
of health to assess the feasibility of allowing business owners in the State to
utilize filtered water collected by water catchment systems for business
activities.
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SECTION
2.
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(a)
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There is established within the department a business activity water
catchment system working group.
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(b)
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The working group shall assess and make
recommendations on:
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(1)
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The feasibility of allowing business
owners in the State to utilize filtered water collected by water catchment
systems for business activities, including the types and sizes of businesses
that are best suited to implement water catchment systems for business
activities;
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(2)
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The feasibility of establishing a
business activity water catchment system testing program within the department
that provides or otherwise assists business owners in conducting annual testing
of filtered water produced from a water catchment system for business
activities, including determining the types of chemicals or substances, in
addition to lead and copper, that need to be tested to ensure the safety of the
filtered water for business activities;
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(3)
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How the State and counties can
cooperate in ensuring that water catchment systems utilized for business
activities are in compliance with applicable plumbing codes; and
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(4)
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Possible means by which the State can
assist business owners in safely utilizing filtered water from a water
catchment system for business activities.
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(c)
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The working group shall consist of the
following members:
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(1)
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One member of the senate, appointed by
the president of the senate, who shall serve as co-chair of the working group;
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(2)
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One member of the house of
representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, who
shall serve as co-chair of the working group;
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(3)
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Director of health or director's
designee;
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(4)
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One representative from each county's board
or department of water supply;
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(5)
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One member representing the public,
invited by the president of the senate; and
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(6)
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One member representing the public,
invited by the speaker of the house of representatives.
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(d)
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The working group shall report its findings
and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no
later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2028.
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(e)
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The members of the working group shall serve
without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel
expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.
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(f)
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No member of the working group shall be
subject to chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of the
member's
participation in the working group.
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(g)
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The working group shall be dissolved on June
30, 2028.
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(h)
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As used in this section:
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"County"
means the city and county of Honolulu, the county of Hawaii, the county of
Kauai, and the county of Maui.
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"Department"
means the department of health.
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SECTION
3.
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There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of
$ or so much thereof as
may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to retain the professional services
of a facilitator to direct the business activity water catchment system working
group, and assist the department of health with preparing a report to the
legislature.
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The
sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes
of this Act.
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SECTION
4.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1,
2026.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
DOH;
Water Catchment Systems; Business Activity Water Catchment System Working
Group; Report; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes
a Business Activity Water Catchment System Working Group within the Department
of Health to assess the feasibility of allowing business owners in the State to
utilize filtered water collected by water catchment systems for business
activities.
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Requires the Business
Activity Water Catchment System Working Group to report its findings and
recommendations to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2028 and
dissolve on 6/30/2028. Appropriates funds.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.