Question: I bicycle around Mililani around noon daily and notice many maintenance workers turning on sprinklers. I understand that the best time to water plants is before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Homeowners adhere to these optimum times to water, so why not workers in charge of large tracts of grass and plants that require gigantic amounts of water? It seems to me that a lot of water is being wasted, both by evaporation and by broken sprinklers that water the concrete. Is it the individual worker’s discretion that determines when sprinklers are turned on? I live in a townhouse complex where the sprinklers are turned on at 7 a.m., when the maintenance crew starts work.
Answer: Short of mandatory restrictions because of a water shortage, the Board of Water Supply’s request that watering not be done between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. is advisory and voluntary.
That said, "the BWS continues to reach out to resident manager associations to encourage efficient water use," said spokeswoman Tracy Burgo.
It promotes tips such as watering during early morning and early evening, converting to xeriscaping (water-efficient landscaping), installing an efficient irrigation system, checking for leaks and installing moisture sensors to shut off irrigation systems when it’s raining.
Additionally, Burgo said the BWS will contact resident managers and maintenance workers when it receives reports from the public about inefficient water use, via its Water Waste Hotline: 748-5041 (See is.gd/fWUqig).
"Good water management for our municipal water system involves the cooperation of all consumers on Oahu," she said. "This includes our customers in condominium and apartment buildings, which make up a good portion of our residential water users."
The BWS also has partnered with the Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii to promote a brochure on "Landscape Irrigation Conservation: Best Management Practices."
About 50 percent of a household’s total water consumption is said to go to landscape irrigation.
The brochure and other water conservation tips are available on the BWS website, www.boardofwatersupply.com.
Burgo said people can call the BWS Water Waste Hotline or email ContactUs@hbws. org if they see a broken water pipe, malfunctioning irrigation sprinkler, watering at midday, etc. You are asked to describe the problem and location, as well as provide an address if possible.
Sometimes watering when the sun is high can’t be helped.
In the past we’ve had complaints about the city Department of Parks and Recreation watering during the day. We were told that watering is usually done at night but that sometimes it has to be done during the day, to help grow in new plantings.
Question: Do you have the updated number for the streetlight hot line?
Answer: The city’s streetlight hot-line number is 768-5300. We’re told someone is available 24/7 to receive telephone calls.
For lights or other concerns on state roadways, call 831-6714.
Mahalo
To Darren, who works at the Pearl City Walmart. On April 7, the night before Easter, my sister and I went to the store, bringing our 23-month-old nephew with us. However, before we got inside, my nephew dropped my sister’s brand-new phone, and it slid down a drain. We asked customer service whether there was any way to get the phone. They placed a call, and Darren arrived to see what was wrong. After seeing what happened, he got a metal pole, lifted up the drain hole cover and went down to retrieve the phone. He went down a second time to get the case. Darren went above and beyond his duties to help my sister, not even thinking twice about going down that dark, dirty and scary hole. Words can’t express how grateful I am for people like Darren with golden hearts! — Heather
Write to "Kokua Line" at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
