The county Department of Water Supply’s final environmental assessment was given a finding of no significant environmental impact for the reopening of two Hamakuapoko water wells — by the County.
The County could put these contested wells into use within 2013. Read Why Using Hamakuapoko Wells is an Expensive Alternative because the County could, if it had the will, exercise its rights to stream water that HC&S is taking.
In 2006, after outcry by residents reluctant to drink the tainted (DBPC etc) water – even with filtering, the Maui County Council passed an ordinance banning the wells’ use. In October 2011, at the behest of Councilmember Mike Victorino and Mayor Alan Arakawa, this law was weakened to allow the County to use the wells.
The wells are known to be contaminated with pesticides and other chemicals from pineapple farming. Filtration is supposed to reduce the amount of pollution below detectable levels. Critics pointed out that “below detectable levels” does not constitute “0” which is the EPA allowable levels on some of these chemicals.
The County intends to build a 150,000-gallon water tank next to well site No. 2