The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services will host two upcoming town hall meetings to discuss the proposed sewer fee increases set to go into effect July 1, 2025.

The first meeting is for today, Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Ground Floor Conference Rooms at Kapolei Hale at 1000 Uluohia St.

The second meeting is set for Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Oahu Room at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center.

The goal of the meetings is to familiarize the public with ENV, learn why sewer fees are increasing and by how much, learn about a proposed customer assistance program, and ask questions.

According to ENV, the proposed fee increases include annual increases of 9% for the first six years beginning July 1, 2025, followed by smaller increases of 8% down to 5% over the following four years. The result will be a 115% total increase over a 10-year period.

ENV says the additional revenue is critical to cover rising operational and maintenance costs and to fund essential projects included in its Capital Improvement Program valued at $10.1 billion between 2025 and 2040.

One of the topics at the meetings will be the Customer Assistance for Residential Environmental Services or CARES program to help ease the financial burden on low-income households. Households earning less than 80% of the area median income may qualify for a monthly credit of $20 to $25 on their fixed sewer charge.

ENV is also planning to hold additional meetings in December and early 2025 for those unable to attend the meeting on Monday and Dec. 3.

Visit the ENV website for information on the sewer fee increase, CARES program and to review projected fees.