Get Involved
Discover all the ways to get involved with WAI!
Work with WAI
Overview: Wastewater Alternatives & Innovations (WAI) is a dynamic nonprofit whose mission is to protect water quality and reduce sewage pollution across Hawai’i. WAI works on a number of private and federally funded grants and initiatives as technical assistance providers, including community-based water quality programs, workforce development, and innovative technology projects. The roles WAI is currently hiring for will directly support our EPA Rural, Small and Tribal Grant project.
Project Goal: The goal of this EPA Rural, Small and Tribal Grant project is to launch Hawaii's inaugural Decentralized Wastewater Responsible Management Entity (HDRME) program by fostering synergistic partnerships across industry, academia, and government sectors, aimed at revolutionizing decentralized wastewater management and achieving the replacement of all 83,000 cesspools by 2050 through targeted training, the establishment of RMEs in key counties, and comprehensive community outreach and education to address pressing financial, operational, and technical capacity needs for decentralized systems infrastructure and long-term management.
Position Openings:
Grants and Project Manager
Community Projects Coordinator
Finance and Grants Administrator
To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to:
Stuart@waicleanwater.org, Chris@waicleanwater.org, and Gabby@waicleanwater.org.
Volunteer
The Legislative Task Force is a coalition of passionate individuals, including representatives of environmental non-profits, law students, industry experts, and enthusiastic volunteers led by WAI who raise much-needed awareness of issues relating to cesspools and the wastewater industry and policy changes at the state level.
Partner with Us
Our technology partners are leading technology companies and engineering firms that provide innovative solutions for wastewater management. WAI is actively pursuing pilot programs within Hawaiʻi communities to offer alternative solutions to the cesspool issue to benefit homeowners and the environment.
Our Work-4-Water partners help support WAI’s Work-4-Water program. The program aims to educate and equip 100 participants to enter the wastewater profession and increase the visibility of the wastewater industry as a promising career pathway. We actively work with local communities to attract and inspire the critical technicians needed to solve this complicated issue.
Support WAI by Donating
WAI is seeking funding sources to help homeowners with the expensive process of converting their cesspools and failing septic systems. We are working with the EPA, Hawaiʻi Dept. of Health (DOH), USDA’s Rural Development Office and private foundations to bring together federal, state and philanthropic funding to help homeowners. Make a difference by supporting our mission and giving today!