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Posted: Tuesday, May 30th, 2006 10:19 AM HST

Costco fined over its cesspools

By Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) _ Costco has agreed to pay a 75-thousand dollar fine for failing to close and replace three large capacity cesspools at its Big Island warehouse. The settlement reached between the retail giant and the Environmental Protection Agency also requires Costco to install a wastewater treatment system. Alexis Strauss, director of the E-P-A's regional water division, says the settlement is part of the agency's continuing effort to close large capacity cesspools and protect drinking water sources on the Big Island. Cesspools are used in Hawaii more than any other state. Cesspools discharge raw sewage into the ground, which results in disease-causing pathogens and other contaminants to pollute groundwater, streams and the ocean. (Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved)