XIX. DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY
ROLE AND DUTIES
The Department of Water Supply of the County of Hawaii
is a semi autonomous agency charged with the responsibility of
operating and maintaining its public water systems. The department's
primary purpose is to provide potable water in adequate quantities
and safe quality to its customers.
The duties of the Manager are to serve as the chief
advisor to the Water Commission and as the top administrator for
the department. Among other things, the Manager directs the staff
of the department in activities in fulfilling its primary purpose.
Operations Division
The Operations Division has the responsibility of
providing high quality drinking water on a 24 hour basis through
the operation and maintenance of water sources, transmission and
distribution waterlines, reservoirs, pumping stations, treatment
facilities, and communications equipment.
Engineering Division
The Engineering Division is responsible for the planning
and construction of the public water systems, compliance with
State and Federal drinking water requirements, and land surveys.
Finance Division
The Finance Division is charged with the responsibility
of customer services, accounting and financial reporting, and
data processing.
STAFF
The department has a staff of 122 employees operating
from several locations around the island. In addition to its main
office in the County Building and the Operations Center in Hilo,
the department maintains district offices and baseyards in Ahualoa,
Waimea, Kapaau, Keauhou, and Waiohinu. Other than its administrative
personnel, the department is organized into three major divisions.
Operations Division Head
The Operations Division is headed by Kenneth Ikemori who was born and raised on Maui. After graduating from the University of Washington in Seattle with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Mr. Ikemori has worked with McDonnell Douglas Astronautics and the Hilo Gas Company BHP. His career with the department began in 1975 and has headed the division since January 1995. Mr. Ikemori is a member of the American
Waterworks Association, National Society of Professional
Engineers, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He
and his wife, Joanne, have a daughter and a son.
Engineering Division Head
The Engineering Division is headed by Gary S. Kawasaka
who was born and raised in Hilo. Mr. Kawasaka received his bachelor's
degree in civil engineering from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
His career with the department began in 1967 and has headed the
division since 1980. He and his wife, Wilma, are parents of a
son and a daughter.
Waterworks Controller
The Finance Division is headed by Richard S. Tsunoda
who was born in Hilo and raised in Papaikou and Paukaa. Mr. Tsunoda
graduated from Hilo High School in 1969 and earned a BBA degree
in accounting from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1974.
Prior to joining the department in 1985, Mr.ÿTsunoda worked
at the Hilo Coast Processing Company for 11 years. He is a member
of the Hawaii Waterworks Association, the American Waterworks
Association, and the Government Finance Officers Association of
the United States and Canada. He and his wife, Linda, have two
daughters.
Number of Employees by Division and Bargaining Units
DIVISION BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES
Administration Exempt 2
Excluded 13 1
Excluded 03 1
Unit 03 1
Subtotal 5
Finance Excluded 13 1
Unit 03 15
Unit 04 2
Unit 13 3
Subtotal 21
Engineering Excluded 13 1
Unit 03 12
Unit 13 9
Subtotal 22
Operations Excluded 13 1
Unit 01 54
Unit 02 7
Unit 03 11
Unit 13 1
Subtotal 74
Department Total 122
Water Commission
Role and Functions
The Water Commission consists of nine members who
are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the County Council.
Members serve five year staggered terms and are representative
of the nine political districts of the island. The Commission
elects its Chairperson and Vice Chairperson at the beginning of
each calendar year. In accordance with the County Charter, the
charge of the Water Commission is to manage, control, and operate
the waterworks of the county.
The Commission meets regularly on the fourth Tuesday
of each month when it conducts the business affairs of the department.
In addition to these meetings, the Commission conducts a public
hearing annually on the department's operating and CIP budgets.
The Commission may also conduct public hearings periodically on
the department's water rates and rules and regulations.
Commission Activities
Currently, Robert Meierdiercks of Kona and Glenn Santos of Hilo respectively serve as Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Sidney Lee of Hilo, whose term expired in December 1994, was the previous Chairperson. Typically, the Commission awards contracts, accepts subdivision water system dedications for the operation and maintenance by the department, and approves new positions at its meetings.
1995 1996 BUDGET
Operating Budget:
Operating Revenues $16,314,000
Operating Expenditures $14,254,000
C.I.P. Budget: $11,000,000
HIGHLIGHTS
The following highlights for the fiscal year 1994
1995 were prepared by the respective division heads as noted.
ENGINEERING DIVISION Gary S. Kawasaka, Division
Head
The following major capital improvement projects
were under construction; were in various stages of contract award;
or, were in the planning and design phases by the Department of
Water for the 1995 96 fiscal year.
HALEKII PRODUCTION WELL Construction commenced on the outfitting of the exploratory well into a production source. The well is situated at our Halekii Reservoir Site in South Kona. The well will be outfitted with a variable speed pumping unit with a range of 900 1400 GPM together with control and chlorination building and facilities. Additional supply of water will be provided into our Kona Water System.
Construction cost: $1,125,648
WAIMEA WATER TREATMENT PLANT COMPLIANCE UPGRADES This project consists of upgrading our existing water treatment plant at Waimea, South Kohala. This is required in order that this treatment plant will be in conformance with the requirements of the Surface Water Treatment Rule of the Safe Drinking Water Act. This rule is applicable to both new and existing water treatment facilities. Additional data acquisition equipment and monitoring apparatus will be installed. Major renovations will be made to the chlorine and chemical feed systems.
Construction cost: $2,143,000
HILO OPERATIONS CENTER BUILDING EXTENSION This project consists of the addition of about 2,800 square feet to the existing building. Completion of this building project will provide much needed working space for the function of the Operations Division.
Construction cost: $215,700
LALAMILO FARM LOTS WATERLINE IMPROVEMENT The Department has been faced with numerous complaints regarding dirty, reddish water caused by the rusting and corroded pipeline. This project will consist of the replacement of the old galvanized iron pipelines with new 6 inch ductile iron pipeline. About 11,200 feet of pipeline will be replaced. The location of this project is in South Kohala.
Construction cost: $469,782
HAWI PRODUCTION WELL NO. 2 AND HAWI BOOSTER IMPROVEMENTS This project consists of developing the exploratory well into a production source. This well is situated at our Hawi Reservoir Site in North Kohala. The pump size will be a 700 GPM deepwell pumping unit. An additional booster pump will also be installed at this station. Completion of this project would provide for another well source for our Hawi System. This project will be funded in part by Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds in the amount of $275,000.
Construction cost: $650,830
PIIHONUA DEEPWELL "C" DEVELOPMENT This project is located at our Hilo Reservoir No. 1 site. This project consists of outfitting the drilled and cased well "C" into a production source. The pump size will be 2,100ÿGPM. The initial well drilling contractor failed to complete the exploratory well. The long delayed completion for the well drilling phase had to be undertaken by the department. The completion of this outfitting phase will provide for another groundwater source for our Hilo System. This project will be funded in part by HUD CDBG funds.
Construction cost: $1,401,660
KEONEPOKO NUI BOOSTER ADDITION This project is situated at our Keonepoko Well and Reservoir Site in Puna. This project consists of the furnishing and installation of a 400 GPM booster pump unit at this station. This pumping unit will serve as a back up to the sole existing booster pump at this station. This project will be funded for up to 75%ÿof the project cost by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Kalapana Disaster Funds.
Construction cost: $91,412
OLAA STATION NO. 5 TO STATION NO. 4 WATERLINE IMPROVEMENTS This project consists of the replacement of about 8,700 feet of existing 6 inch transite pipe with new 12 inch ductile iron pipeline. The completion of this project will improve the carrying capacity of this section of our Olaa Mountain View System. In addition, pump efficiencies will be increased and water losses in this system will be mitigated.
Construction cost: $959,677
HONOKOHAU PRODUCTION WELL AND SUPPORTING FACILITIES, PART III 16 INCH TRANSMISSION AND ACCESS ROADWAY This project is the last remaining part of the Honokohau Production Well project situated in North Kona. This project consists of the furnishing and installation of about 2,105 feet of new 16 inch interconnecting pipeline together with the access road to our well site. Completion of this project will provide much needed source water in our North Kona System.
Construction cost: $340,608
CONSTRUCTION OF THE MICROBIOLOGICAL LABORATORY EXTENSION This project consists of construction and installation of a building extension to our existing Hilo Microlab Facility. The purpose of this extension is to accommodate the additional lab requirement for micro particulate analyses and to provide room for personnel and for storage area.
Construction cost: $79,700
Geographically, following are several of the projects
in the planning and design stages or ready to be advertised for
bids in the next fiscal year.
PUNA:
KEONEPOKO IKI WELL DEVELOPMENT Phase I is for the
drilling of an exploratory well at our Keonepoko Iki Reservoir
Site.
SOUTH HILO:
KAWAILANI STEEL TANK PAINTING/REFURBISHING A face
lift will be accomplished with the preparation and painting of
this highly visible tank to the area residents.
PIIHONUA KUKUAU TRANSMISSION SYSTEM This project
will provide for a much needed 1.0 MG storage reservoir in addition
to a new transmission main.
KAUMANA DRIVE PIPELINE REPLACEMENT A section of
old galvanized iron pipeline along Kaumana Drive will be replaced
with new 8 inch ductile iron pipeline.
HONOLII BRIDGE PIPELINE REPLACEMENT A new 8 inch
ductile iron pipeline and support brackets will be installed to
replace the existing waterline along the bridge structure.
SADDLE ROAD RESERVOIR EXPLORATORY WELL An exploratory
well is planned for this high level site. Elevation at 1900 feet.
HOOMALU PIPELINE INTERCONNECTION A new 8 inch waterline
interconnection between two service areas will provide for increased
flow and improved pressure conditions.
NORTH HILO:
OOKALA PRODUCTION WELL This project is for the
outfitting of the existing exploratory well.
HAMAKUA:
COSTA HAGIWARA PIPELINE REPLACEMENT This project
is ready to be advertised once the easement issue is resolved.
AHUALOA BOOSTERS Installation of additional booster
standby pumping units is planned for Honokaa Hospital Reservoir,
DeSilva and Sawmill Tank Sites.
POHAKEA WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT This project consists
of new booster pump station, reservoir and pipeline for the first
phase.
NORTH KOHALA:
HAWI MEDEIROS HAAHUHUU BOOSTER PUMPS Installation
of additional booster pumping units is planned for these three
sites.
KAPAAU PIPELINE REPLACEMENT This project consists
of replacing galvanized iron pipeline to improve flow and pressure
conditions.
SOUTH KOHALA:
PUUKAPU EXPLORATORY WELL This project consists
of the investigation and the subsequent development of the high
level groundwater in the Waimea area.
WAIMEA TREATMENT PLANT FILTER UPGRADE The purpose
of this project is to replace the filter media and the underdrain
system.
NORTH KONA:
KAHALUU HIENALOLI PIPELINE This project consists
of an interconnecting 8 inch waterline to provide supplemental
supply of water to Sugiyama Reservoir.
KAU:
KAU EXPLORATORY WELL Planning and engineering is
underway for the drilling of a standby well at our Pahala Reservoir
Site. This will become the backup well to our existing well.
FINANCE DIVISION Richard S. Tsunoda, Waterworks
Controller
REVENUES AND CUSTOMER SERVICES Operating revenues
totaled $15.9ÿmillion compared to $13.4ÿmillion the
previous year, an increase of $2.5ÿmillion or 18.7%. This
increase is due to the water rate increase that went into effect
at the beginning of the year. The number of services increased
0.8% from 32,828 to 33,094. Water consumption for the year was
8.4ÿbillion gallons or 22.9ÿmillion gallons per day,
the same as last year.
OPERATING EXPENSES Operating expenses, including
depreciation, increased 3.7% from $16.3ÿmillion last year
to $16.9ÿmillion this year. Purchased power costs decreased
5.3% from last year to $5.4ÿmillion and continues to be the
largest expense item, accounting for 32.0% of total operating
expenses, followed by depreciation expense which increased by
6.8% to $4.7ÿmillion, 27.8% of operating expenses, and labor
costs decreased 2.4% to $4.1ÿmillion, 24.3% of operating
expenses.
NET LOSS AND RETAINED EARNINGS The Department recorded
a net loss of $607ÿthousand for the year, and retained earnings
of $3.0ÿmillion resulting from the adjustment for depreciation
on contributed utility plant of $3.7ÿmillion. This compares
to a net loss of $3.0ÿmillion and retained earnings of $328ÿthousand
the year before. Other income decreased $150ÿthousand as
a result of a reduction in the amount of available funds invested.
Other deductions increased $31ÿthousand due to "book"
losses from the early retiral of utility plant assets.
OPERATIONS DIVISION Kenneth Ikemori, Chief of Operations
The continuing dry spell of the previous year was
compounded by the failure of single deepwell pumps in areas normally
supplied by spring and other sources. Notably the following sources
were affected: Pahala Deepwell, Paauilo Deepwell, Ookala Shaft
Pump, and Hawi Deepwell.
Relying on the Department's resources and manpower
as well as other government agencies such as the County's Civil
Defense Agency, Department of Public Works, and the State's Army
National Guard along with water resources from the former sugar
plantation systems at Pahala, Hamakua, and Kohala; the Department
was able to overcome these emergencies to continue water supply
to the affected areas.
The Department's only surface water source in Waimea
supplied by the area's 158.5 million gallon reservoirs reached
an all time low of 49.5 million gallons. Before embarking on mandatory
water restrictions for the area residents, the Department, with
the full cooperation of the Waimea Country Club, was able to use
their single well source with the installation of diesel engine
booster pumps to supplement the dwindling water supply and prevent
the severe restrictions to the area.
Other noted major repairs were done at Kahaluu Well
"D," Keei Wellÿ"B," and Lalamilo Well
"B." Noted main breaks occurred at Olaa Mt. View above
Keaau Road; Kilauea Avenue adjacent to Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary
School; and at Alii Drive, Kailua Kona.
Deepwell pump production was 9.61 billion gallons
as compared to last year's 9.51 billion gallons, an increase of
1.05 percent with the accompanying power costs of $5,309,000 as
compared to last year's $5,118,000.
OPERATIONS DIVISION WORK SUMMARY
JULY 1, 1995 TO JUNE 30, 1996
PLANT REPAIR SUMMARY WATER SERVICE SUMMARY
TANK: NEW SERVICE: 516
Mechanical Repairs 60
Electrical Repairs 81 CHANGE METERS: 1250
PUMPS: LOCK/REMOVE METERS: 611
Motor Repairs 283
Control Repairs 561 UNLOCK/REINSTALL METERS: 425
CHLORINATION: RELOCATE SERVICE/METERS: 75
System Repairs 144
Pump/Motor Repairs 11 SERVICE LATERAL:
Control Repairs 13 Changes 97
Repairs 647
PRV REPAIRS: 102
MAIN REPAIRS/CONNECTIONS: 247
BUILDING STRUCTURE REPAIRS: 146
HYDRANTS: 317
RESERVOIR STRUCTURE REPAIRS: 41
METER BOX REPAIRS: 316
TELEPHONE ANSWERING
SERVICE CALLS: 1,107