KAPAIA, Kaua'i — Grove Farm Co. and the Kaua'i County Department of Water yesterday opened the new $9 million surface water purification system, which uses a unique technology to purify sugar plantation ditch water into drinking water.

The system will initially be capable of processing 3 million gallons daily for delivery into the county's water system, and it can be expanded later.

The system uses a filtration technology from Zenon Environmental that creates a vacuum on one side of a membrane, which allows only the smallest molecules to pass through. Water comes through the membrane, but organic molecules and pollutants are left behind. The plant will be operated by Aqua Engineers. Austin Tsutsumi & Associates designed the plant and Bodell Construction built it.

Grove Farm opted to launch the surface water purification center after well drilling in the Lihu'e area had disappointing yields. The firm needed to provide water to meet county requirements to continue its residential and other developments in the area.

"In addition to fulfilling our obligation to provide a water source for our new residential and commercial properties, Grove Farm is also ensuring that Kaua'i's island community has critical access to water in the Lihu'e-Hanama'ulu-Puhi areas for years to come," said Grove Farm president Warren Haruki.

Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com.