Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-10-25


sumner. plus the extra cost Of making
delivery. 1t is estimated that the
actual cost of delivering water to
ships at Honolulu is about Csc. per NJ
gallons, which would compare favor.
ably with other Pacific Ocean ports.
The one great difficulty in reduc-
ing the rates at this time is the ser.
ious diminution in revenue which
would result to the water works and
sewer system.
In this connection We submit here
with statement kindly furnished us
by the Superintendent of Public
! Words, from which you will note that
of the $4,000 approximately reeeiv-
ed for water during the year ending
| December 81, 1911, $S4, 800 came from
shipping, .. or over % per cent, al
though the total amount of water
supplied to ships would not amount
to over a days suppl to the city in
general. The same statement shows
that taking water and sewer rates to-
gether, there was a surplus OF S..
712.S2 after deducting expenses, in
terest on bonds and sinking fund
After the balance of the 100000 of
new bonds is expended, the Depart
ment estimates that there viii be a
yearly deficit of $1,000 on the pres
emit basis. One of the reasons given
for this deficit is the reduction in
sewer receipts on account Of the re.
duction of rates made by the last
Legislature. - s
An investigation of the rates charg-
ed for water in the principal cities Of
the United States shows that the Ho-
nolulu base rate of TIC per M. gal
lens is very low For instance, in
California the San Francisco rate is
23c., Oakland 23c., Santa Barbara &c.,
Stockton Csc, and Los Angeles 10c.,
all on meter basis as compared with
our flat rate based on 71sc. 1t will
be remembered that the climatic con-.
ditions prevailing in California cities
require as much, il not more, irriga.
ton for. lawns, ETC., than Is necessary
here. Your committee fully realizes
that in a climate such as ours water
should be furnished at the lowest pos,
sible rates, and we would be strenu
ously opposed to any increase In the
existing rate to consumers even for
the purpose OF lowering the rate to
shipping.
Under existing conditions we be
1ieve the remedy is:
!. To check the large waste in the.
use of water which is known to exist
under the present system; and
2. To get the actual cost of deliver.
ing water down to the lowest possible
figure and make such actual cost the
basis of rates to consumers.
We are informed that recent inyeS-
LEGATIONS by the Pnblic Works, and
also an extensive study by the SAM
tary Commission, showed conclusiyely
that an enormous amount of water is
actually wasted after the Territory
has paid for its delivery. Further.
more, the Territory is again called
to pump the greater part of this same
water out of the sewers. While We
have no definite estimates or fig
Ures on the subject, We believe that
if the expense of supplying and get
ting rid of the large amount Of water
actually wasted could be eliminated,
the rate to vessels could be placed on
a reasonable basis without increasing
the cost of water to the general con-
sumner. This can only be accOmp-
lished by the extension OF the meter
system as rapidly as possible, so that
each consumer will pay for the water
he gets, whether he uses it properly
CT not,
We understand that funds will be
available for installing meters about
August LIST, when the balance of the
bond money becomes available, Tn,
till something can be done to remedy
the evils of the present water works
system. we do not see how the rates
to shipping can be reduced from the
present high figure.
On the line of general policy, we
would, therefore, submit the follow
ing recommendations:
l. That the rate on water supplied
to vessels at Honolulu be reduced as
rapidly as the finances of the water
works and sewer department will per,
init, to figure representing the rate
to the general consumer, plus cost OF
delivery. ....'@--
2. That the Superintendent of Pub
lie Works be urged to check the
waste of water in Honolulu by the
extension of the meter system as rap
idly as possible.
3. That the meter rates to consum-
ers be at all times the very lowest |
rate which can be made under eco
nomicai and efficient management, |
after paying expenses, maintenance,
interest on bonds and necessary ex-
tensions Of the water works system.
In other words, that the water works |
and sewer system be made seIf-sus- |
tanning ON the most economical basis