Required inspections of water service laterals scheduled in Puna

The County of Hawai‘i’s Department of Water Supply will begin inspecting selected Puna customers’ water service laterals starting April 22.

Inspections will begin in Kea‘au, followed by Kurtistown, Mountain View, Pāhoa, Nānāwale Estates and Kalapana. Work will occur from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, excluding holidays. Customers are being notified by mail if a water service lateral inspection is scheduled for their property.

The inspections are required to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. Service laterals will be inspected for the type of material they are made of, and that information will be inventoried by the county.

Although the Department of Water Supply believes the potential to find lead or lead-containing service laterals is low, should any be found, officials will inform customers about next steps.

Water service laterals are typically located underground and connect water mains to the water meters and then to the customer’s plumbing. The water meter box is often located along the roadway or in the sidewalk at the property boundary.

During inspections, DWS staff and contractors will open water meter boxes to visually determine the lateral material and will conduct a visual inspection of the above-ground service lateral that enters the building.

The county is asking customers to keep the area near their water meter box clear of parked vehicles and items to allow personnel to complete inspections efficiently.

DWS staff and contractors can be identified by ID badges and marked vehicles and will have appropriate safety equipment. They will not ask for personal information or solicit money. Entrance into buildings will not be needed.

For more information on the upcoming water service lateral inspections, contact the DWS at lcrr@hawaiidws.org or 808-961-8070 Ext. 3.