The Conversion Process

The Cesspool Conversion Process, Step by Step

What to Expect — From Your First Call to Full Compliance

Converting a cesspool can feel like a big project, but with the right team, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We’ve simplified the process from start to finish, so you can move forward with confidence and clarity.

Illustration of a laptop showing a completed online contact form beside a property site plan.

Step 1

Initial Assessment

Complete our online contact form and provide any available property information, including surveys, site plans, or other relevant documents. Our team will review to determine the project requirements, priority zone, and potential scope of your cesspool conversion project. We’ll then reach out to you to discuss our preliminary assessment and provide a proposal.

Step 2

Design, Engineering & Permitting

With our trusted in-house engineering and permitting team, we design a custom system that meets all Department of Health (DOH) standards and fits your property’s needs. We also manage the entire permitting process, including SMA coordination when required, so you never have to worry about the red tape.

Step 3

System Installation

Once permits are approved, we coordinate with qualified contractors to install your new wastewater treatment system. The work is carried out efficiently and professionally, with your property remaining usable throughout the process in most cases. Your existing cesspool stays functional during installation, so there’s no interruption to essential services while we complete the upgrade.

Step 4

Cesspool Decommissioning

After your new system is fully installed, inspected, and approved for operation, we take the final step of legally decommissioning your cesspool. This includes pumping it out, collapsing and filling it in accordance with code, and sealing it off, ensuring your property meets all state regulations and that your wastewater system is fully compliant for the long term.

Step 5

Final Inspection & Property Restoration

We coordinate all required inspections with the DOH and County, complete the final documentation, and restore your property to its original (or improved) condition. This includes backfilling, grading, repairing driveways or fencing, and restoring landscaping, so everything looks and feels right when we leave.

Converting your cesspool is one of the most direct ways to protect the health of your land and community. When you upgrade, you help:

Keep raw sewage out of our groundwater & reefs

Untreated wastewater seeps into the earth, polluting the ocean and destroying coral.

Preserve safe drinking water from island aquifers

Cesspools contaminate the underground water we rely on for our homes and communities.

Reduce coastal pollution for swimmers, surfers & fishermen

Cleaner shorelines mean safer recreation and healthier livelihoods.

Protect marine ecosystems that feed & sustain our culture

Healthy reefs and fisheries keep traditions alive and our tables full.

Comply with Hawaiʻi State law & avoid costly penalties

Converting your cesspool now keeps you in compliance, prevents fines, and avoids the last-minute rush before deadlines.

Safeguard Hawaiʻi for the next generation

Taking action now ensures our children inherit a safe, thriving island.