HILO — Water wells on the thirsty west side of the island continue to have problems, but the county Department of Water Supply is trying to get malfunctioning wells up and running as soon as possible.
HILO — Water wells on the thirsty west side of the island continue to have problems, but the county Department of Water Supply is trying to get malfunctioning wells up and running as soon as possible.
That was the message Tuesday as department staff updated the county Water Board on several well projects that have been delayed.
“We’ve heard the board loud and clear,” said Manager/Chief Engineer Keith Okamoto. “We’re trying to improve on these time extensions. … We don’t take time extensions lightly.”
North and South Kona are currently under water conservation notices, as six wells are under repair in West Hawaii, department staff said.
Board members generally accepted explanations for the most recent delays, although Leningrad Elarionoff noted that contractors who cause delays get fined, while the water department, when it causes delays, does not.
Still, the board unanimously approved time extensions for two West Hawaii projects, while also approving a bid to repair a third.
• Derrick’s Well Drilling and Pump Service Inc. won a $248,901 bid to repair the Kahaluu deepwell in North Kona. The contractor will replace the existing well vertical hollow shaft motor, pump, column pipe and assorted equipment and will chlorinate the well and pumping assembly. The contractor has 240 days to do the work.
• Also in North Kona, a 55-day time extension was granted for the Holualoa deepwell repair project. The contractor, Derrick’s Well Drilling and Pump Service Inc., completed its work on time, but a department starter equipment showed high amps during testing, so it had to be extracted, causing the delay.
• Repairs to the Ahualoa deepwell in South Kohala has been extended 105 calendar days, with completion now anticipated to be April 15. The department requested a change order to increase the depth of the pump because air bubbles were coming up in the water. The delay was outside the control of contractor Derrick’s Well Drilling and Pump Service Inc., department staff said.
Among other repairs anticipated or ongoing:
• Halekii: Repairs are anticipated to be completed by end of December.
• Honokohau: Repairs are anticipated to be completed by end of February.
• Kahaluu B: Scope of necessary repairs and schedule are currently being evaluated.
• Kahaluu A: Contract for repair work has yet to be finalized.
• Keei A: Repair will be scheduled to be advertised for bids.