HONOLULU (KHON2) -- A proposed landfill site located just north of Wahiawā on O‘ahu has raised serious concerns about its potential environmental impact. Specifically, the landfill would sit directly above one of the island's most important natural resources, an aquifer. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You With the plan still under review, the debate over whether this landfill should be allowed to move forward has prompted urgent calls from local residents, environmental activists and government officials. Rep. Amy Perruso, District 46, has been one of the leading voices in opposing the landfill's proposed location. "This landfill location is an ill-conceived plan. It's a terrible location, I mean, the worst," she said. "It’s over an aquifer and surrounded by land that is already being used for agriculture." Rep. Perruso has been working closely with local officials to address the issue and bring attention to the potential harm the landfill could cause to O‘ahu’s water resources. This means bringing residents together for a town hall meeting. "The intention of the meeting is to really bring the community together to discuss the history of the issue," she explained. "We need to look at the context within which we’re going to make decisions and understand the roles played by different entities, such as Director Lowry, the Board of Water Supply and possibly the Land Use Commission." This Wednesday, Jan. 15, Rep. Perruso will host a town hall meeting at Wahiawā Elementary School to discuss the proposed landfill site. She hopes to educate the community on the potential consequences of placing the landfill on top of an aquifer and provide a platform for residents to voice their concerns. "We want the community to understand the environmental hazards and the potential loss to agricultural land," she said. "This area is critical for our food sovereignty, and the landfill could compromise this important water resource." The proposed landfill would be used for disposing of toxic ash from power plants. "The material they're proposing to dispose of -- this toxic ash -- poses serious environmental risks," Rep. Perruso added. "It’s one of the reasons why we’re so concerned." In addition to addressing concerns about the aquifer and toxic waste, Rep. Perruso has been advocating for new legislation that would make it illegal to site landfills directly over aquifers. "We are planning to introduce legislation that would make it illegal to site a landfill over an aquifer," she said. "Our water resources are finite and precious, and they need to be guarded with the utmost care." Rep. Perruso’s proposed legislation is not just about protecting the aquifer but also about addressing the larger issues of waste management on O‘ahu. "The counties need to do more when it comes to reducing, reusing and recycling," she explained. "Waste diversion and moving toward Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) are crucial pathways that the state can support the counties in." EPR is a concept that holds producers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, including the waste they create. "We need to hold corporations accountable for the harm their products cause," Rep. Perruso added. "In other parts of the world, this has changed corporate behavior, especially when it comes to packaging and plastics." As the debate over the landfill continues, it is clear that there are differing opinions about how best to address the waste management issues on O‘ahu. While Rep. Perruso and other local officials work to protect the aquifer, they are also focused on finding alternative solutions to waste management. "This is a complex issue, and there are a lot of factors to consider," Rep. Perruso acknowledged. "But we need to find better solutions; solutions that don’t involve jeopardizing our water or our agricultural land." The community meeting will provide an opportunity for Wahiawā residents to learn more about the issue and ask questions about the proposed landfill site. "We want the community to be informed and involved," Rep. Perruso said. "This is our home, and we have a responsibility to protect it for future generations." In addition to Rep. Perruso, the town hall will feature several experts who will provide additional insight into the potential impact of the landfill. Ernie Lau, the Manager and Chief Engineer of the Board of Water Supply, and Jonathan Scheuer, the former chair of the Hawai‘i Land Use Commission, will be joining the discussion. Rep. Perruso is also working closely with Councilmember Matt Weyer who represents many of the areas affected by the proposed landfill. Rep. Perruso’s hope is that, through this meeting, the community will gain a better understanding of the decision-making process and the roles different entities will play. "We want people to understand that this decision is not just about one landfill site," she said. "It’s about the larger conversation around land use, water protection and waste management in our community." Looking ahead, Rep. Perruso is hopeful that the proposed legislation to protect the aquifer will make a difference. "This landfill siting process is an extensive one," she said. "It gives us time to act and ensure that this project doesn’t move forward in its current form. We want to take action before it’s too late." The upcoming town hall will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 15, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Wahiawā Elementary School Cafeteria, located at 1402 Glen Ave. The event will be an important opportunity for residents to get involved and learn more about the proposed landfill and its potential consequences. For Rep. Perruso, this fight is not just about stopping one landfill project. It’s about safeguarding O‘ahu’s future. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 "We have a responsibility to protect our water, our land and our community," she said. "We can’t afford to let short-sighted decisions jeopardize these precious resources."