Honolulu Enters Partnership to Reclaim Wastewater

In the Hawaiian Islands, as elsewhere in the United States, cities are seeking ways to preserve limited supplies of potable water. In 2000, treated wastewater from the Honolulu sewage treatment plant will be recycled for irrigation and industrial use.

Through a 20 year public/private partnership with the City of Honolulu, USFilter will design, build, finance, own and operate a 12 million gallon per day (MGD) water reclamation facility (to be located adjacent to the city's wastewater treatment plant) and a 15 mile distribution network. Up to 13 MGD of secondary treated effluent will be accepted at the water reclamation project in order to produce 12 MGD of water for reuse. The recycled water will be produced in two grades: one suitable for irrigation and the other suitable for sale to power and petro-refining companies in a nearby industrial park. USFilter will also be responsible for marketing and distributing the water to the City (which will purchase up to 6 MGD for irrigation needs) and commercial and industrial users.

This project is the largest in the Hawaiian Islands. The agreement, valued at $140 million, represents "a win for the ratepayers, the environment and a number of businesses that will have a guaranteed supply of quality water", said Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris.