Kaua'i to purify irrigation water

By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Kaua'i Bureau

LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Grove Farm and the Kaua'i Water Department have agreed to the development of an $8.2 million surface-water treatment plant that will provide the county with 3 million gallons of water daily.

The plant will allow Grove Farm to meet water requirements to proceed with development projects in the Lihu'e and Puhi areas. Other attempts to meet the area's needs with drilled wells have been problematic, said Water Department manager Ed Tschupp.

"Wells drilled in the area have generally had relatively low yield. We have also seen the yield in some of our existing wells decrease due to a general decline in groundwater levels that has occurred since widespread sugarcane irrigation was reduced and finally terminated altogether with the closure of the Lihu'e Plantation," Tschupp said.

The new plant will use water from the Hanama'ulu Ditch system, which once irrigated the canefields. The water will be filtered and treated to meet drinking standards.

The treatment plant will be owned by Grove Farm and operated by the private firm Aqua Engineers.

The Water Department will buy the water under a 15-year agreement signed yesterday, but the department will have the option of taking over ownership and operation of the plant.

Reach Jan TenBruggencate at (808) 245-3074 or at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com.