HAWAIIAN OCEAN VIEW ESTATES, Hawaii: There is another small delay in the long awaited water well project serving Hawaiian Ocean View Estates in the remote western region of Ka’u.

Pump tests on the new well are ongoing, after the machinery tripped off while attempting to  re-fill the reservoir. The tests are delaying the acceptance  of the project by Department of Water Supply, which in turn delays the official approval by the state Department of Health (official news release below).

The H.O.V.E. subdivision has been waiting for the completion of the county water well for years, and the project has suffered delays and cost complications. The video on the right shows a good example of the often tense series of public meetings held on the topic, as the community has pushed the local government to finish the project to their satisfaction.

Project Status
At this time, the Department of Health new source approvals for drinking water are in order and the official approval will be given in accordance with the final acceptance of the project by Department of Water Supply (DWS). Acceptance of the project is delayed pending ongoing pump tests. In preparation of the facility being put into service, the pump tripped off while attempting to re-fill the reservoir. The Contractor, the DWS and the pump manufacturer have been running tests and analyzing results through today. These tests will determine any deficiencies in the system and the effects, if any, on the equipment.

At this time, Water Supply staff has reviewed/compiled the performance analysis data and delivered this information to the manufacturer. The manufacturer now needs time to review the data. A response from the manufacturer is anticipated early next week.

Project Overview
This publicly funded $6 million project establishes a basic drinking water system complete with a well, storage tank, transmission pipeline, and fill station for the Ocean View community. To ensure encumbrance of State funds within a very short legislative timeline of 2 years, this project was procured as design-build that was executed in two phases: Phase 1, “Exploratory Well Development,” and Phase 2, “Production Well Development.” Phase 1 work entailed:

• Phase 1 consultant procurement
• Acquisition of land and easement for the well-site, waterline and fill station
• Completion of an Environmental Assessment
• Completion of the exploratory well design
• Installation of required equipment and ancillary facilities to complete the exploratory well
• Completion of a conceptual design of Phase 2
• Conduct and Report on tests on the well, which would ultimately determine whether or not the well is suited to meet the needs of the project.

The second phase (Phase 2), “Production Well Development,” is ongoing at this time. This work entails the following:

• Complete 30% of the Phase 2 (Production Well) design and send out a Request for Proposals to all Contractors
• Hire a contractor to complete this phase within the budgeted amount, including completion of the remaining 70% of the design based on the tests results of the closeout of Phase 1
• Obtain all necessary approvals, permits, etc…for the final design
• Utilizing the final design, construct the facilities according to the plans, permits.

About the Dept. of Water Supply
The Department of Water Supply is a semi-autonomous agency of the County of Hawaii which operates by rules and regulations adopted by the Water Board. As a semi-autonomous agency, the Department operates and maintains its water systems with revenues generated wholly through water sales. The primary function of the Department is to provide safe domestic water service through its 24 water systems and 67 sources scattered throughout the island. The individual water systems are not interconnected except in the more densely populated districts of South Hilo and Kona. The Department continually strives to provide dependable, high quality, potable water at a reasonable cost.

Department of Water Supply