County slated to inspect water service laterals in Kohala

Hawai‘i County’s Department of Water Supply will begin inspecting selected Kohala customers’ water service laterals on July 29.

Inspections will start in Waimea, followed by Puakō, nearby resort areas, Kawaihae, Makapala, Hāwī, Hala‘ula and Niuli‘i. Work will occur from 8 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 department.

Although the county believes the potential to find lead or lead-containing service laterals is low, should any be found, the department 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, county 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.

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