KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii — Hawaii County’s water department needs more steps in place to ensure the public has dependable access to water when equipment breaks down, an audit said.
A county legislative auditor released the report concerning the Department of Water Supply last week, West Hawaii Today reported Sunday.
The report by auditor Bonnie Nims said the department should develop and implement detailed and written contingency plans for each district and update its continuity of operations plan.
“Since January 2017, up to five of DWS’s deep water wells were intermittently in and out of service, restricting valuable water service to residents, businesses and the public throughout North Kona,” Nims said in a letter to the Hawaii County Council.
The audit was requested in response to residents’ concerns after a series of pump failures forced water conservation measures in 2017.
Failures led to five of the region’s 13 wells going down at the same time. County Mayor Harry Kim signed an emergency proclamation in September 2017 suspending rules to allow the county to respond promptly.
Restrictions allowed water use only for drinking, cooking and hygiene. Some commercial boat washing and watering of “precious plants” was allowed.
“Restrictions were placed on customers due to the delays in repairs and we wanted to be sure adequate contingency plans would be in place if this situation ever repeats itself,” said Karen Eoff, one of two councilors who requested the audit.
Plans must include sufficient details and prioritize and clearly document emergency procedures and emergency contingencies by district, the audit said.
The plans should describe types and implementation guidance of water usage restrictions and clearly document communication procedures, the audit said.
Keith Okamoto, manager and chief engineer for the water department, said in a department response to the audit that customers did not lose access to potable water during the emergency.
“Customers had ‘access’ to water,” Okamoto wrote. “During the water restriction period, DWS requested water be used for health and safety needs only.”
