In an attempt to clear up confusion and inaccuracies, the county Department of Water Supply has decided to hold a meeting this week on the new Hawaiian Ocean View Estates Water System.
In an attempt to clear up confusion and inaccuracies, the county Department of Water Supply has decided to hold a meeting this week on the new Hawaiian Ocean View Estates Water System.
The meeting will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Ocean View Community Center, located at 92-8924 Leilani Circle in Ocean View. It’s an opportunity for residents to learn and ask questions about this publicly funded $6.4 million water system, activated for public and private use on July 5, said Kanani Aton, Water Supply spokeswoman.
The meeting was prompt by “increased reports of incorrect information being spread by many different sources in the community.” It was also recommended by Mayor Billy Kenoi, as well as supports Water Supply’s goal of “continually educating and informing the public about its water systems and operations,” Aton said.
The misinformation has mostly been about water access at the fill station, the HOVE standpipe meter account sign-up, the expending of project funds, water quality test results and water hauling rates. Water Supply recently released a five-page information document, featuring frequently asked questions about these concerns, which is available online at hawaiidws.org.
Six years ago, $6 million in appropriated state funds was released to the mayor’s office for the HOVE water system. Additionally, the mayor’s office supplemented another $400,000 in county funds to increase the reservoir from 100,000 gallons of storage capacity to 300,000 gallons. The Fire Department also contributed $15,000 for the installation of a fire hydrant for emergency use, according to Water Supply.
In lieu of outsourcing the project administrative services, the mayor’s office requested assistance from Water Supply to oversee the project’s design and construction, which occurred from July 2007 to June 2012. This resulted in an additional savings of approximately 5 to 10 percent of the total cost, Water Supply stated.
The HOVE water system accommodates both public and private water users from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The county Department of Public Works pays for water used at the six public water spigots at no cost to the users while the standpipe facility provides serve to 10 private customers for water hauling or delivery services. Water Supply operates and maintains the water system infrastructure and Public Works maintains the fill station site, Water Supply stated.
For more information about the HOVE water system or the upcoming meeting, call 961-8050.