Honolulu Demands Reversal
of CWA Variance Denials

Abiding by all the mandates of the Clean Water Act (CWA) can be challenging and expensive. Honolulu recently found itself in a dispute with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that could prove costly if the city loses. EPA issued CWA Sec. 301 variance denials at two of the city’s wastewater treatment facilities that are limited to mostly primary treatment.

The Sec. 301 variance allows treatment to less-than-secondary levels, provided water quality requirements are met, said John Kemmerer, associate director of EPA Region 9’s water division. He noted that there are not many facilities with CWA Sec. 301 variances. In addition to Honolulu, two facilities in American Samoa and two in Guam were recently denied.