Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-03-07
Water SITUATION
NEEDS DSEKPERT
ADVICE !.
Assistant Supt. Wheeler Points
out Need OF Work for
Future r. r..

declaring tnaJ ttHere SnOuid De an
immediate investigation of the condi-
tions 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-
ed 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
hanG1a 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
to expand at all in the future. must
plai to have a water system that will
not only take care. of the present but
also of the future demand.
San Francisco is spending $150,000i
year for the investigation of her
water supply, Wheeler said, while Sc
attic is spending an amount almost
equal to this, and is planning sys-
tenn that will take care of all possible
demands that can be put upon it in
future years. = 49,:
Working out the plan for central
electric power plant, it has been sug-
gested that a reservoir be built on
Punchbowl to store water for use in
the outlying districts of the city, and /.
that water coEld 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 lover 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. ~:
More Waste of Water Found.
Further facts regarding the waste
OF artesian water b. 'a,ire known to-
day. Not only are the two companies
nentloned pouring five millions OF
gallons daily inteiithe ocean, but an
amount probably equal 10 this is be.
ing. w3sied fro1. the ar,esian wells.
On ArJesian street De,Hecn Beretania
and Dole Sts., a well whose Gaping
has apparently been destroyed is pour
ing out its precious flow OF water day
and night without there being any at
tempt to save it. In the kapahulu
district, it is reported on gooG author
ity that millions of gallons or artesian
water are going to waste because the
Iunllc hnon In tho
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:
fSection 31S7, nevised Laws of Ha- |
wai) Every flowing artesian well on
the island of Oahu shall be 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 well. -.
CSection 3198) 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
domestic and other pur-
poses, except for driving machinery; |
provided, however, that such water |
may be used for driving machinery in |
case it be utilized afterwarG Ior irri- |
cation or other useful purposes.
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!