Arakawa

WAILUKU – The Department of Water Supply will begin to issue water meters in the Upcountry area based on its recent purchase of source water capacity totaling 33,000 gallons per day.

Department staff will contact applicants on the priority list this month to notify them of the opportunity to apply for water service.

The Kaupakalua Well was developed in Haiku and dedicated to the county in 2000. Part of the production capacity of the well was intended for specific projects; however, the developer offered a portion of its remaining capacity to the county at a favorable price.

Applicants on the priority list who are contacted and offered water service must respond within 30 days. In cases where applicants are not ready for service, the applicant may reserve the meter for up to five years.

Applicants must pay the Water System Development Fee and installation costs to receive water service.

Mayor Alan Arakawa said he is very pleased to be offering water meters to Upcountry customers.

“Combined with the recent decision to allow the use of the Hamakuapoko Wells as a backup source, the additional source capacity is the beginning of a solution to a big problem,” Arakawa said.

“In total, we should be able to offer water service to several hundred people over the next year or two. We are very pleased that we are finding solutions to a decades-long problem.”

The priority list, the Water System Development Fee Rule and water meter issuance provisions for the Upcountry water system can be found online at www.mauiwater.org.