Kokua Line June Watanabe

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Do not drink water from air conditioners

Question: I have one of those portable air conditioners that you can wheel from room to room. This particular air conditioner will collect about 2 quarts of water after several hours of use. I've always wondered, in case of an emergency, is the water safe to drink?

Answer: The word from health and water officials is a resounding "no."

The water in air conditioners is the result of condensation from the cooling process.

The water "would need to undergo extensive treatment, because of contaminants in the water, and it would need to be disinfected to remove the bacteria," said Wanda Yamane, spokeswoman for the Board of Water Supply.

One of the most notable contaminants in water found in heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems is the Legionella bacterium, said Russell Takata, manager of the Department of Health's Noise, Radiation and Indoor Air Quality Program.

Thirty years ago, Legionella was found to be the cause of Legionnaire's disease.

Takata advised against consuming any water or mist from HVAC components, such as condensers and cooling towers.

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Q: Recently, a gentleman was selling bananas on city property (near Kupuohi Street and Kupuna Loop, where the city Park & Ride facility is located). Then on weekends, there has been a family selling puppies at the same location. If this is allowed, how can I start selling some of my own items?

A: Although permits are issued for certain activities, no permit had been issued to any individuals selling the products you described, said an official with the city Department of Transportation Services, which oversees the lot.

Permits require proper insurance and justification for using the Park & Ride facility, such as for overflow parking.

MAHALO

To a kind woman who helped me when I fell. Every morning, I buy a newspaper at Kinko's on King Street and University Avenue. One morning last week, I had an epileptic seizure outside and the woman helped me up and to a bench. I forgot to ask her name, but hope she reads this. -- Calvin

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In our June 10 Kokua Line about the lack of accessible entryways into the Nuuanu YMCA, we said the U.S. Department of Justice may grant a waiver if a business or organization makes an assessment of its facilities and determined it is not structurally feasible to make certain changes, such as a putting in a lift or ramp.

"This is not correct," said Francine Wai, executive director of the state Disability and Communication Access Board, who was quoted in the column.

"There is no 'waiver' from the Department of Justice or anyone else," she said. "The entity should document why the change was not feasible and be prepared to defend their decision should the issue be raised by an enforcement agency."