The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is fining 7-Eleven Hawaiʻi for $145K.
The penalty comes as part of a settlement over illegal cesspools found in three 7-Eleven locations back in 2021.
On top of the fine, the company must conduct a self-audit of the 58 locations it operates across the state and work with the EPA to close all remaining large-capacity cesspools.
The EPA required that all large-capacity cesspools be closed in 2005 under the Safe Drinking Water Act's Underground Injection Control program.
In July 2021, the EPA discovered large-capacity cesspools at two 7-Eleven Hawaiʻi locations in Hilo and Pāhoa.
The agency identified a third location in September 2021 during a follow-up request for information.
Cesspools are used throughout Hawaiʻi to dispose of untreated sanitary waste.
They collect and discharge waterborne pollutants, which can be dangerous to human health; their disease-causing pathogens and harmful chemicals are known to contaminate groundwater, streams, and the ocean.
