COM 0808.002 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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JHjY OF ry,~ ~b~"'w• Barbara Bell Harry Kim Director Mayor Nelson Iio ` rF"J Deputy Director C~>xutTf r Lif 'plttf lair DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 25 Aupuni Street, Room 210 • Hilo, Rawari 967204252 (808) 961-8083 • Fax (808) 961-8086 cohdem@inlerpac.net October 28, 2004 The Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Council Chair And Council Members Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, HI 96720 SUBJECT: BILL 352 RELATING TO SEWER SERVICE CHARGES Dear Council Chair Arakaki and Councilmembers, The Department of Environmental Management and the Department of Water Supply have serious concerns about Bill 352 as written. In reviewing this issue, the Environmental Management Commission studied and voted on a proposed ordinance with somewhat similar language. At their April 29, 2003 meeting they deferred action. At their May 28, 2003 meeting, they voted to take no action on the proposed ordinance on the basis that there was no public benefit. (Proposed Bill and minutes from May 28 meeting attached.) Department of Water Supply (DWS) requires that meters are installed in the public right-of-way so they can read the meters accurately, efficiently, and in a timely manner. Relevant sections of DWS rules are Section 3-5, (6) and (7). It may be possible to add the concept behind this bill to our existing County Code with some additional language. If the bill was amended in Section 21-29 to read: "No sewer charges shall be levied on water used for irrigation or other uses [only when separate water meters are installed for such purposes and the water drawn through such meters is not discharged into the sanitary sewage system.] when the water is not discharged into the sewer system and a separate metering system, acceptable to the County and in accordance with Rules and Regulations set forth by the Department of Water Supply, is installed to provide a method of accounting for the amount of water which is or is not subiect to the sewer use charges as the case may be I0 ` HawaCi County is an equal opportunity provider and employer.