Lāʻie Water Reclamation Facility

The Lāʻie Water Reclamation Facility (LWRF), serving Oʻahu’s North Shore since 1997, provides advanced tertiary wastewater treatment with ultraviolet (UV) disinfection to protect both the environment and community health. Specially designed for coastal conditions, the facility processes wastewater through multiple treatment stages—beginning with pumping, followed by secondary biological treatment, filtration, and UV disinfection. The resulting high-quality reclaimed water is reused locally for landscape irrigation and groundwater recharge.

LWRF is operated by the City and County of Honolulu under a cooperative agreement with Hawaiʻi Reserves, Inc. (HRI), representing a successful public-private partnership. This collaboration has allowed for the development of a sustainable, low-pressure sewer system that has replaced hundreds of cesspools in the area—significantly reducing groundwater contamination and infiltration into the wastewater system. Treated effluent is conveyed to a third party for reuse or responsible disposal.

The facility also produces Class A biosolids through on-site composting of sludge mixed with green waste. Class A biosolids are nutrient-rich, fully treated organic materials produced through advanced wastewater treatment processes that meet the highest standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for pathogen and vector attraction reduction. At the Lāʻie WRF, these biosolids are created by composting treated sludge with green waste, resulting in a stable, soil-like product that is safe for unrestricted use. Class A biosolids can be applied to agricultural lands, landscaping projects, gardens, and even public spaces like parks and golf courses—offering an environmentally responsible way to recycle valuable nutrients back into the soil while reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers. These nutrient-rich materials are beneficially reused on local farms and at municipal golf courses.

LWRF operates under a Wastewater Management Individual Permit (Permit No. HI21WWIP213), effective through September 30, 2026. The permit governs operations and ensures compliance with state and federal regulations for wastewater and sludge treatment.