LIHU’E – Ernie Lau, manager and chief engineer for Kaua`i County’s Water Department for the past four years, had what he termed “an unpleasant message” for the County Council Thursday. Lau said more than 50 percent of Kaua`i’s water pipes
LIHU’E – Ernie Lau, manager and chief engineer for Kaua`i County’s Water Department for the past four years, had what he termed “an unpleasant message” for the County Council Thursday.
Lau said more than 50 percent of Kaua`i’s water pipes are aging, rusting and need to be replaced. More than 127 miles of need to be changed in the next 20 years, he said.
Forty-six miles of the existing pipes were laid between 1921 and 1940, and another 40 miles were dropped into the ground between 1941 and 1960.
The Water Department has 200 projects slated for the next 20 years, at a total projected cost of at least $150 million.
Lau further noted that the department, founded in 1961, “has its own budget, is financially self-sufficient, receives no county government monies” and basically survives on fees charged for water usage.
Lau said his department fixes a main break or a leak “almost every other day. Now is the time to aggressively address and fix the problem.” Lau said the proposed plan is to slot $51 million for projects from fiscal year 2001 through 2006.
He said the consequences of not fixing the aging system range from unplanned water interruptions to public health and safety concerns.
Councilman Gary Hooser sought further financial clarification.
“Will there be significant rate increases?” Hooser asked.
“Yes, we are looking at rate increases. Getting federal and state grants is tougher and tougher,” Lau answered.
Lau said under questioning that exact fees “were not ready.” But he promised that when he returned before the council in early January, his figures would be more comprehensive.
“We’ll be coming back to present a much more detailed plan, including proposed rates,” Lau told the council.
In addition to pipelines, storage facilities and capacities islandwide are problematical, according to Lau.
“We’ve been struggling” with water capacity in Lihu`e “for some time,” Lau said.
“We need another well in Lawa`i and Hanalei also needs another well,” he added.
The Water Board would approve new rates to help finance the Water Department’s Water Plan 2020.
But Councilman Ron Kouchi reminded Lau that the council would still have some say in the matter, since rate hikes alone wouldn’t get the job done.
“There’s no way without bond financing that you would be able to finance this,” Kouchi said.
Water Department officials are also bringing the message to the community in three public meetings scheduled for next week: Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the War Memorial in Lihu`e, Tuesday at Waimea Neighborhood Center at 6:30 p.m., and Wednesday at Kilauea Neighborhood Center at 6:30 p.m.
The Department of Water can be reached at 245-5400.
Staff writer Dennis Wilken can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) and dwilken@pulitzer.net
