Seven large cesspools in Maui County must shut down by the end of 2025 as part of a settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency.

The EPA banned large-capacity cesspools, also known as gang cesspools, in 2005 because of their ability to contaminate groundwater and nearshore ecosystems.

The cesspools, which hold untreated human waste, are on a parcel of land that includes the Hana police station, the Hana Motor Vehicle and Licensing office and the Public Works vehicle maintenance shop, according to the 30-page settlement.

They are also located at the Makawao Baseyard, Maui Veterans Cemetery and the Molokai Veterans Cemetery.

In addition to having to shut down the cesspools, the county must also pay a civil fine of $193,274 within 30 days of the settlement being signed.

EPA discovered the cesspools during June 2022 inspections, according to an agency news release Friday.

Under the settlement, the county must review all county-owned or operated properties to see if other large cesspools exist and close them down.

Since the 2005 ban took effect, EPA says more than 3,862 cesspools in Hawaii have been closed but many remain in operation.

Cesspools are more common in Hawaii than any other state. Given that 95 percent of Hawaii’s drinking water supply comes from groundwater, cesspools pose a unique threat, according to  EPA.

Civil Beat’s coverage of environmental issues on Maui is supported by grants from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and the Hawaii Wildfires Recovery Fund, the Knight Foundation and the Doris Duke Foundation.

Civil Beat’s coverage of Maui County is supported in part by grants from the Nuestro Futuro Foundation.