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Commissioner Herkes was saying about total resource management from the start to
<br />the finish, I think there's also concern for the amount of wastewater that isn't re -used,
<br />we're injecting it into the ground in some places. And, there's also concern about
<br />contamination of drinking water. And there's also concern about monitoring, or
<br />enforcing rules about cesspools, and that impact it has on ground water and drinking
<br />water, and that type of thing. So, there is some implications that it does make sense to
<br />look at it in that regard. But, in any case, I appreciate Commissioner Higashi's
<br />statement that agreement would be nice, not that we don't trust Mr. Pavao. We
<br />certainly do. Under his leadership, we were very impressed with his operation. I think
<br />that, even when I was in the private sector, the Department of Water Supply has
<br />enjoyed that reputation, and I think that, although Mr. Pavao feels that taking on
<br />wastewater would inhibit, or what can I say? I tend to look at it more that he can
<br />improve, or expand, his leadership role to improve, not only his department, but also
<br />another agency that has challenges.
<br />RAY: Thank you, Jiro. Let's just go around. Sue, do you have anything?
<br />MARTIN: I just wanted to say one fast one before she gets into it. One quick
<br />one, if I may, Mr. Chair, on what Roland said about get an agreement in writing. And
<br />whatever changes need to be made, if, in fact, it does take a move in any County
<br />agency, do it. Put it in place, and it will make our decision a lot easier.
<br />RAY: Well, we may not have that power.
<br />MARTIN: They do.
<br />RAY: No, they don't. We could be talking about an ordinance out of the
<br />Council, so, we don't have the power to implement that. But anyway, go ahead.
<br />IRVINE: Thank you for coming, and I guess I can certainly understand why
<br />the Water Department likes their pristine, clean environment and just supplying water
<br />isn't terribly controversial on this island, although, sometimes, I guess. But, I think we
<br />really do need to look on water as a commodity, and the re -use of wastewater, and
<br />there's a bill problem, obviously, with sewers. I don't blame you for not wanting to take
<br />it on, but the fact that a few people are supporting the entire system, which is for the
<br />benefit of us all, keeping our water clean, and whatnot, we need to have, kind of, a
<br />global look at this. I think Honolulu, if they only kept their department together for six
<br />months, or a year, really must not have thought much about it before they went into
<br />some kind of a combination, or they wouldn't have had that quick a divorce.
<br />The other thing that's been mentioned is this Environmental Department, the
<br />possibility of putting sewers with solid waste. Now, my impression also is that solid
<br />waste is kind of a shambles, and that we're now giving Public Works more work right
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