Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-03-07
Water SITUATION
NEEDS EXPERT
ADVICE
Assistant Supt. Wheeler Points
out Need of Work for 4
Future .~.@ !
MORE WASTE OF ARTESIAN
SUPPLY VERY EASILY FOUND
Uncapped Wells Allow Millions
of Gallons to Flow Into
..= Sea Daily

Declaring that there should be an
immediate investigation of the condi-
tons of water supply and consump-
ton on the island of Oahu, A. C.
Wheeler, assistant superintendent of
the department of public works, stated
today that central electric power
plant, as suggested in last nights
Star-Bulletin, would undoubtedly be
more economical than the present an
tiquated system. Wheeler also declar-
cd that water is the most precious
commodity on the island and that it
is criminal shame to waste it. He
declared that an efficient expert
should be hired by the government to
investigate conditions here and to
hand in a full report. Wheeler point
ed out that other cities on the main
land have up-to-date electric plants
and stated that Honolulu, if the city is
o expand at all in the future, must
plan to have water system that will
not only take care of the present but
also of the future demand.
San Francisco is spending $150.000.
a year for the investigation of her
water supply, Wheeler said, while Sc.
attic is spending an amount almost
equal to this, and is planning a sys-
tenn that will take care of all possible
demands that can be put upon it in
future years.
Working out the plan for central
electric power plant, it has been sug-
,gested that a reservoir be built on
T1,tYa nh To e,fo far far IN
the outlying districts of the city, and
that water could be pumped into it by
the excess water power in the Nuu
anu valley Then an electric plant,
situated in the downtown district,
would supply the lower portion of the
city with water from the electric
company and the Rapid Transit COM
pany, amounting to almost five mil
lions daily, which is now going to
waste. f. It'll. .*-
More Waste OF Water Found.
Further facts regarding the waste
CT artesian water hCeaale 6nown to-
day. Not ONLY are the Two companies
mentioned pouring five millions of
gallons daily into the ocean, but an
amount probably equal 10 this is be-
ing VISITED froc, tae ar,es,an wells.
On ArIesian street De,7ecn BeretaniA
and Dole. stree's an artcsian we'll,
has apparently been destroyed is pour
ing out it's precious flow OF water day
and night without there being any at
tempt to save it. In the kapahulu'
.6istSiGt. it j reported on gooG author
of gallons or artesian
to waste because the
wells hAy5NeVer been capped. In the
outlying districts, artesian wells used
for irrigating purposes by truckgard-
eners and farmers are reported to be
allowed to flow almost at will. 1t
is within the power of the government
to stop this waste and immediate steps
will probably be taken to ENFORCE the
law, which is quoted as follows:
(Seetion 31S7, Revised Laws of Ha-
waii) Every flowing artesian we'll on
the island of Oahu shall 0e capped by
the owner or owners thereon in such
manner as to give complete control
over the flow of water from the pipes
Of such we'll. ... =. .....--. 49,. ..
tSection 319S) mo person having
the right to the use of water from any
such artesian we'll shall allow the
same to run to waste, but may use for
irrigation, domestic and otler pur-
poses, except for driving machinery;
provided, however. that such water
may be used for driving machinery in
case it be utilized afterward Ior irri-
cation or other useful purposes. l..
The conditions of the supply of wa
ter showed no Improvement today over
the facts as stated yesterday. The
supply in the reservoirs is low and it
will undoubtedly be some months be-
fore the irrigation privileges with
drawn Yesterday are extended again