Kauai County, HI Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Adopted by Ordinance No. 778 in November 2001, Kaua'i County Code § 22-16.1 states the Drainage Ordinance's purpose as setting drainage principles and policies in the Stormwater Runoff System Manual dated July 2001, to safeguard public health and safety and protect property across the County. Section 22-16.3 applies the article to all land within the County's jurisdiction, meaning both Kaua'i and Ni'ihau, plus facilities built within County rights-of-way, public-use easements, and privately owned systems that are part of required subdivision infrastructure; the Manual's standards are minimum standards only, not a guarantee against flood or drainage damage.

The County Engineer in the Department of Public Works administers the Manual and this article under § 22-16.6, reviewing every drainage submittal for compliance and interpreting the Manual as needed under § 22-16.7. Under § 22-16.9, no one may discharge any effluent other than stormwater runoff onto a public right-of-way or into a drainage facility without the County Engineer's approval, and that approval can issue only if the discharge will not violate the State's Water Quality Standards in Hawai'i Administrative Rules Chapter 11-54. Section 22-16.10 separately bans discharging any pollutant that creates a pollution problem in State waters or violates state water quality standards, and bans any stormwater discharge onto a public right-of-way that creates a drainage problem or nuisance.

The County Engineer enforces through notices of violation and cease-and-desist orders under §§ 22-16.11 and 22-16.13, and can seek civil enforcement in court under § 22-16.12.