Maui farmers
fear rate plan

Communities meet to discuss
a proposed 12% increase
for water

KULA, Maui » Maui farmer Robert Ito said a county proposal to raise the water rates for agriculture might seem to be small.

Maui water talks Meetings on a 12 percent water rate increase on Maui (all begin at 7 p.m.): » Today, Mitchell Pauole Community Center » Wednesday, Wailuku Community Center » Thursday, Hana Community Center » Feb. 1, Haiku Community Center » Feb. 2, Hannibal Tavares Community Center » Feb. 3, Kihei Community Center » Feb. 4, Lahaina Community Center

But Ito said the increases proposed by the county Water Department could have a significant impact on Maui farmers' ability to compete against growers in Central Oahu already using cheaper irrigation sources.

"We don't like any increase," said Ito, who grows cabbage and onions on about 20 acres of land in Kula and pays as much as $1,800 every two months for county water.

"With us, we use a lot of water, so every cent per thousand gallons makes a difference because of the sheer volume."

A series of community meetings about a proposed systemwide, 12-percent rate increase, effective July 1, is scheduled to start this week.

Water Department officials and an advisory committee are proposing that the new water rates be adopted by the Maui County Council in its annual county budget.

Under the proposal, Maui and Molokai homeowners consuming an average of 30,000 gallons of county water every two months would see their bill increase about 11 percent, to $72.30 from about $65, county water spokeswoman Jacky Takakura said.

Monthly water service charges would be increased for all users, including homeowners who would see a rise to $6.50 from $5.60.

Rates for residential, commercial users and farmers would remain at $1.42 per 1,000 for the first 10,000 gallons but would rise to $2.16 from $1.91 per 1,000 gallons for up to 25,000 gallons.

Residential and commercial users would see an increase to $2.54 from $2.25 per 1,000 gallons for any consumption higher than 25,000 gallons.

Agricultural users being provided county water would see their rate increase to 80 cents from 76 cents per 1,000 gallons for any use higher than 25,000 gallons.

County water director George Tengan said the rate increases are expected to raise an additional $3.4 million annually and are needed to meet the rising cost of electricity and plant operation, including the treatment of an additional 750,000 gallons taken out of Iao Stream.

According to county documents, Wailuku Agribusiness also raised the price of delivering about 2 million gallons of Iao Stream water daily last year to 48 cents from about 12 cents per 1,000 gallons.

Tengan said electrical pumping cost has been as much as one-third of the annual operating expenses and is increasing.

He said the county is expected to begin operating the Pookela well above Makawao this year and pumping the water to higher elevations Upcountry.