Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-03-06
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Coincident with charter revision
plans which may eventually read TO-
the transfer of the water supply sys-
tenn from the hands of the territory
into the hands of the city and county,
comes the added information that
radical reforms, having for their OBJ
ject the conservation of the water
supply on the island and the reduction
of the cost of operating the water
system, are about to be strongly
recommended by the authorities
These reforms are said on good au-
thority to include the taking over OF
from four to five million gallons OF
artesian water, available for con-
sumption through the water supply
system, which has been Offered to the
city free Of charge; the passing OF
legislation prohibiting the wasteful
use of water flowing from artesian
weiis, on the island; and the installa-
ton Of a central electrical power
plant to cut down the present ex-
pense of distributing power in small
units to the four pumping stations
now under operation That the
present system is inadequate TO sup,
ply the present and future demands
and that change is necessary, now
seems to be the consensus of opinion
of those in a position to know, as
shown by investigation by the Star
Bulletin.
In spite Of the fact that the authori
ties are complaining of a dearth OF
water, three millions of gallons of the
pure artesian product are daily being
poured into the ocean by the Hawaii
an Electric Company, while the Rapid
Transit company is known to release
one and a half to two millions every
twenty-four hours. This is artesian
water that has been run through
pipes and condensed for cooling pur-
poses and Is in no way contaminated.
1t is equal In quality to more than
one-third of the entire amount sup
piled by the water system. The com
panies are willing that the water be
made use of by the city. Manager
H. nj. Hepburn of the electric com
pany stated that the water is there
and that the company is willing to
turn il over, Manager c. G. Ballea-
tyne stated that the Rapid Transit
company has made an offer of the
water to the city.
Bishop Thinks Well Of Plans
H. X. Bishop, superintendent Of the
department of public works, when
questioned in regard to the matter
stated that the scheme insofar as it
would increase the supply of water
and tend to restore the sinking ar
tesian level, was good one. The
8 water, he said, could be pumped with
a single pumping operation directly
into the system. He stated that the
additional amount of water would in
crease the water pressure and at the
same time give greater supply for
the downtown districts. 1t would
also relieve the Kalihi district, which
at the present time divides its supply
with the downtown district MIR.
Bishop added that the artesian level
has been sinking steadily for the past
ten or twelve years and that the
water question in future years viii
be serious one unless the present
extravagant waste is stopped and
steps are taken to conserve the sup
ply.
Facts and Figures! Secured.
1t is definitely known that facts and
figures regarding the great quantities
of water that are going to waste and
that have been offered free of charge
by the various companies are in the
hands of the water supply authorities.
il is possible that it will be recon-
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