In Hawaiʻi cesspool pollution is a problem, mandatory upgrades are unaffordable, and traditional septic systems are unreliable.
Water Infrastructure designed in Hawai'i for Hawai'i.
Hawai‘i’s wastewater crisis is more than an ecological problem — it’s a social one. Across the islands, aging cesspools are quietly releasing millions of gallons of pollution into the ground every day and the options to fix it just aren't affordable.
WaiHome was founded in 2021 from a simple belief: wastewater solutions that force homeowners into debt aren't solutions. We set out to design systems that were affordable and rooted in the realities of island living.
Why We Need Change
Location
Nearly 35% of homes still rely on cesspools, many located in flood-prone or high groundwater zones. This means that 53 million gallons of untreated sewage enters our ground and coasts every day.
Legislation
New cesspools have been banned statewide. By 2050, 84,000 existing cesspools must be upgraded or replaced. Without affordable solutions, Hawai‘i risks missing this critical deadline.
Insufficient Choices
In coastal regions, septic tanks frequently fail due to high groundwater and saltwater intrusion. Digging leach fields into porous volcanic soil pushes contaminants into aquifers and nearshore springs
Cost of Excavation
Replacing cesspools with septic tanks is out of reach for most homeowners. With installation costs between $20,000 and $60,000, septic systems are unaffordable for 97% of households.
Water Infrastructure designed in Hawai'i for Hawai'i.
WaiHome was founded in 2021 on the Island of Oahu from a simple realization: wastewater “solutions” in Hawai‛i were failing. Simply put, there have been no good options. Cesspools remain massive polluters, and septic upgrades are financially unfeasible.
We spent 5 years reimagining wastewater technology with the intention of producing systems that were affordable and rooted in the realities of Hawai‛i’s unique climatic and geographic conditions.
We need change, but so does the wastewater industry. This isn't about catching up to the mainland; it’s about leading with solutions made for the Islands.
Location
Nearly 35% of homes still rely on cesspools, many located in flood-prone or high groundwater zones. This means that 53 million gallons of untreated sewage enters our ground and coasts every day.
Regulatory Pressure
New cesspools have been banned statewide. By 2050, 84,000 existing cesspools must be upgraded or replaced. Without affordable solutions, this deadline is impossible.
Insufficient Choices
In coastal regions, septic systems and ATU’s frequently fail due to high groundwater tables. They’re unaffordable because of excavation. They’re unrealistic because of the large land areas they require.
Cost of Excavation
“Approximately 97% of all residents with cesspools… would be financially burdened by the cost to convert.” -DOH. Septic systems cost between $30,000-$60,000.
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