HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0158.008 2002-2004 ca ware
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DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY COUNTY OF HAWAII
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345 KEKUANAOA STREET, SUITE 20 • HILQ HAWAII 96720
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Apri18, 2003
TO: Mr. Aaron S.Y. Chung, Chairman
Committee on Finance. County Council
FROM: Milton D. Pavao, Manager
SUBJECT: COST OF GOVERNMENT COMMISSION REPORT -FEBRUARY 20, 2003
COMMUNICATION NO. 158
As a follow-up on your memorandum dated Mazch 21, 2003, attached are our responses to the
recommendations of the subject report. Thank you for the opportunity to respond.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us.
Sincerely yours,
ilton D. Pavao
Manager
QA:pt
Enclosure
copy - Mayor's Office
Water Board Members
Division Heads
Comm. No. I
Ref. Ta
Ref. Date APR 9~_
eater 6rivee~s ~roc~ress...
Cost of Government Commission Report
Department of Water Supply
Recommendations
1. The Department of Water Supply should change its motto from "Water is Progress"
to "Water is Life."
Rationale: The current motto may imply an unchecked growth philosophy. "Water is
Life" implies that quality water should not be wasted and reinforces the need to
conserve our natural resources.
Department's Response: The recommendation is well taken. However, the County's General Plan
and Code, the Department's Rules and Regulations, Federal and State drinking water regulations
and requirements, currently contain provisions that address the stated rationale. Furthermore, the
motto originated
from our predecessors who had a particular vision that the Departmext has
respected and carried out responsibly jor over 50 years.
2. The Department should use precise language to describe potential problems of
reserve water volume and pressure in its reports to the Planning ?nd Public Works
Departments in connection with applications for rezoning and variances.
Rationale: To ensure the availability and quality of water for health and safety, and to
minimize adverse :economic effects of business downtimes, decisions regazding
rezoning and variances should be based upon, among other things, on the availability
of sufficient, quality water for consumption, fire control, and other emergencies.
Department's Response: The Department continually monitors and analyzes its water systems to
ensure water quality and quantity are adequately maintained
for existing customers and
future
customers. In responding to water availability inquiries, rezoning requests, subdivision requests,
and other requests that require government approval, the Department is very specifu as to whether
water is adequately available for a proposed development. A water commitment will be issued only
if water is available. There will be times when businesses and residences nary be without adequate
water service due to an unforeseex and uncontrollable situation, such as a water main break.
3. The Department should look into state and other resources to resolve the long-
standing issue of delinquencies from Hawaiian Homes leases. Other methods,
including direct payments by Hawaiian Home Lands to the Department for services
and water should be investigated.
Rationale: The Department is caught in the middle, between the lessees of Hawaiian
Home Lands and the Department of Hawaiian Homes, and the Department's other
customers aze subsidizing the delinquency.
Department's Response: The Department has been working very closely with the State Department
of Hawaiian Home Lands in shutting off water services to delinquent customers. DHHL has taken
a stance that delinquent lessees are in violation of their leases and are subject to being evicted.
This stance has reduced the amount ojdelinqueneies.
Page 1 of 2
Cost of Government Commission Report
Department of Water Supply
4. The Department should shaze it's secret for maintaining high employee morale with
other County departments.
Rationale: Low morale can lead to high employee turnover and accident rates,
inefficiency, and lost time.
Department's Response: The Department is more than willing to share its ideas with other
departments. The Department ojCivil Service, through its training and safety program
coordinators, is a good starting point in initiating such sharing and networking.
Page 2 of 2