2020-01 Performance Audit Report: Contingency Plans at County of Hawai'i's Department of Water Supply

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Introduction The Office of the Legislative Auditor conducted this performance audit of contingency plans at the County of Hawaii Department of Water Supply (DWS) pursuant to Section 3-18 of the Hawaii County Charter, which outlines the Office of the Legislative Auditor's primary duties. Performance audits typically examine the effectiveness, economy, or efficiency of a government program. They can include analyzing the services of a department or activity, identifying possible cost savings, identifying the outcomes achieved by a program, or comparing actual department practices against the practices called for in law or policy. Our objective in performance auditing is to improve public services provided by county government. We do this by recommending specific actions that will address the issues we raise and by providing valuable information to the public, the administration, program leadership, the Hawaii County Council, and the Mayor. Beginning in January 2017, four of the thirteen (31 %) North Kona deep wells were intermittently in and out of service. Although customers had access to water, water usage restrictions were advised. These deep wells were all located in the North Kona area along the North Kona Belt Road or Highway 180 along a stretch of road approximately 12 miles. Waiaha Deep Well (1,754 feet) r �Y IF Photo courtesy of the Office of the Legislative Auditor. Well was non -operational at time of photo. Because of the out of service wells, water restrictions were implemented affecting North Kona residents. Water restrictions ranged from a 10% voluntary, a 25% mandatory, and up to an emergency water restriction for essential use only such as hygiene, health, and safety usage. In October 2017, Hawaii County Council's Resolution No. 287-17 requested the Office of the Legislative Auditor to conduct a performance audit to ensure DWS had adequate contingency plans to guarantee sufficient water supply to customers at all times, including during a disruption of deep well operations. This resolution was co -introduced by Council Member Karen Eoff, Kona District 8 and former Council Member Dru Kanuha, Kona District 7. Department of Water Supply Contingency Plan Introduction I 1