Question: Regarding the water rates (808ne.ws/626kline), will this go to fixing the old sewer lines?
Answer: No. Although Oahu customers receive a combined water and sewer bill, the service is separate, handled by different agencies. The combined bill is a convenience for customers.
Money generated by the water rates goes to the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, to operate, manage and improve Oahu’s drinking-water system, the semi-autonomous city agency explains on its website. The BWS does not receive city tax dollars, and funds its operations through the water rates.
Sewer services are handled by the Wastewater Management division of the city Department of Environmental Services. You can read more about how to read your water and sewer bill at 808ne.ws/billread.
Another recent column (808ne.ws/kline627) prompted feedback from readers who said it’s easy to conserve water; they encouraged more people to do so. The new water rates discount the cost of the first 2,000 gallons of water each residential customer uses a month. Customers in single-family homes who limit themselves to that amount can expect a monthly bill of $18.
“Our most recent bill shows our usage as 2,000 gallons for seven of the last eight months. It’s not difficult to do. We lived through a fairly severe drought almost 30 years ago, at which point I became very aware of our water use, and were able to limit our use to about 50 gallons per day, or about 1,500 gallons per month, and developed habits then that minimize our waste.
“Since then, technology has made it even easier to minimize water use. Modern toilets, dishwashers, washing machines, and shower heads, among other things, use less water and work better than their older counterparts.
“We don’t do anything draconian; we shower and run the dishwasher daily, and wash several loads of laundry every week.” — N.N.
Besides replacing older appliances and devices with water-saving ones, here are some tips from the Board of Water Supply:
>> Water lawns no more than two to three times a week, and never between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., when the daytime sun evaporates the water quickly.
>> Check for leaks in plumbing and toilets. “Turn off water throughout your house, check your water meter, and check back two hours later. If it has moved, something’s leaking.” You can also check for a toilet leak with a free test tablet from the BWS.
>> Water-efficient plumbing fixtures are a must. A new toilet can save five gallons a flush. A new shower head can save five gallons a minute. An aerator on a kitchen faucet can save five gallons a day.
>> Take shorter showers. Depending on the type of shower head, you can save three to six gallons a minute.
>> Put a shutoff or pressure nozzle on your garden hose. Otherwise, a running hose can waste 100 gallons of water in minutes.
>> Likewise, don’t let indoor faucets run needlessly. Turn off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving. When hand-washing dishes, use a dishpan.
Mahalo
I would like to extend our sincere mahalo to a gentleman who helped me. He was passing us in the parking lot in Kaneohe. He noticed that I was having problems getting my dad into the car. He offered his help but I refused. My dad is 100 years old, uses a walker and was feeling weak with the heat. I refused his help, but right after that my dad fell. He rushed over to help me carry my dad up and into the car. He mentioned that he was a physical therapist and has a 92-year-old dad. I’m sorry for not getting his name and rushed off, but we remain so grateful to people like you. — Rachel S.
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.
