WAILUKU >> Upcountry Maui property owners who have been waiting years could soon be getting water service.

The Maui County Department of Water Supply announced Wednesday it has started issuing Upcountry water meters, the Maui News reported.

The department said a project to use the Hama-kua-poko wells as a backup for Upcountry water use is near completion, allowing for water meters to be issued. Requests for meters will be considered in the order of applicants on a priority waiting list.

Lower Kula resident Alfred Medeiros Jr. said that will allow him to move forward with a 10-home subdivision. The development will also mean lots of jobs, he said.

He’s No. 643 on the waiting list and hasn’t been able to get project financing without confirmation the subdivision would get water service.