Posted on: Monday, January 3, 2005

New water station in Puna opens today

Associated Press

The first of eight proposed potable water stations on the Big Island is expected to open today, Hawai'i County officials said.

The Keonepoko Nui station in Puna includes a standpipe for commercial water haulers and six spigots for the public, said Wendell Hatada, an aide to Mayor Harry Kim.

The spigot station, on Highway 130, will be open 24 hours a day.

Seven more stations are planned, including four in Puna, two in South Kona and one in Ka'u.

The project is partly funded by a $970,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The county is contributing another $700,000 in services such as engineering by the Department of Water Supply.

Existing stations, most of which were installed in the late 1980s to provide an alternative source of water for homeowners in rural areas on catchment systems, will close as the new stations are built.

The spigots were installed after state health officials determined that rain made acidic by volcanic emissions can leach lead from nails and other building materials.

Although concerns about lead contamination have diminished, the spigots were left in place to provide water during periods of low rainfall.

The county is replacing the old stations for a variety of reasons, including a lack of lighting and close proximity to busy roadways.