Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Water Board issues
annual quality reportsQuestion: Is there a service where I can have my water tested to determine its quality, etc.?
Answer: Board of Water Supply customers on Oahu who think there is something wrong with their water -- if it smells, looks or tastes bad -- can call 527-5207 to have their water checked.
But if people are just curious about water quality, they'll have to call a private laboratory, said spokeswoman Denise DeCosta. She noted many labs are listed in the telephone directory.
The federal Safe Water Drinking Act requires that all community water systems, such as the Board of Water Supply, provide customers with a yearly report on water quality.
The Consumer Confidence Report, first issued in 1999, lists any contaminants found in the water, as well as "measures taken to make sure the customer's water meets federal safe drinking water standards and is safe to drink," DeCosta said.
Reports to Board of Water Supply customers are generally issued in late spring or early summer. If you don't receive a copy of the report for your area, call 532-6530.
If your water comes from a private source, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says you are responsible for its quality and safety. That's the word as well from the state Department of Health.
The department will only get involved if "you are considered a public water system," which means a well would have to service more than 25 customers, have at least 15 service connections and operate more than 60 days a year, said Bill Wong, manager of the Health Department's Safe Drinking Water Branch, which regulates these systems.
"If you have your own well in your back yard, you're on your own," he said.
Throughout the state, there are 130 public water systems, he said, including those servicing military bases, Laie, the Sheraton-Waikiki Hotel, Queen's Medical Center, St. Stephen's Diocesan Center, Mililani Memorial Park, and Punahou and Kamehameha schools.
These are considered public systems because of the number of people served, but are privately operated.
In those cases, "we would provide the analysis support," Wong said.
If you have questions about his branch or of the systems it regulates, call 586-4528.
Q: I don't know how long a very large amount of waste motor oil that was dumped lasts before it is no longer a problem. When I say, "large amounts," I am talking about five or more 55-gallon drums. Could you find out for me? I know of someone who owns a business on Maui who dumped motor oil in the back of his office building.
A: Just dumping waste oil like that is illegal. You should report it to the Maui District Health Office at 984-8230 or the Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch on Oahu at 586-4226.
Inspectors can investigate and take action, if necessary, a Health Department spokeswoman said.
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Useful phone numbers
Got a question or complaint?
Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
E-mail to kokualine@starbulletin.com