Why we're rethinking wastewater

Cesspool pollution is a problem in Hawai'i.
Mandatory upgrades to unaffordable and unreliable septic systems is a problem too.

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.

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.

Our Team

James Roberts

Founder, CEO, Process Engineer

Gregory Wong

Founder, COO, Product Engineer

Dr. Natasha Keshishian

Architectural Consultant

Scott Parsons

Manufacturing Technican

Will Gotanda

Product Development Engineer
After 4 years and $2.6 million in research and development, WaiHome’s Mata is preparing for deployment across Hawai'i.

Funding provided by:

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