Department Of Water Supply Launches Interactive Map For Water Availability Across Island

In a recent meeting held at the Hawaii County Council, officials unveiled a new online tool designed to enhance public access to information about water availability across the island. Under the soft glow of city hall lights, members of the Council and the Department of Water Supply (DWS) presented a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based map that aims to clarify water resources for residents and developers alike.

The map, which will soon be live on the DWS website, provides a visual representation of general water availability, active water commitments, and developer agreements. Ryan from the Engineering Division of DWS guided attendees through the map's features, emphasizing its role as a planning tool rather than a definitive source for specific parcel inquiries. Users can search for properties using tax map key numbers or addresses, allowing them to see the water availability guidelines for their areas.

One of the key features of the map is its ability to display water availability in terms of "water units," with one unit equating to 400 gallons per day. The map indicates that certain regions may have a specified number of water units available based on pre-existing lots, which have not undergone recent development applications. For instance, a highlighted area on the map showed that 50 water units are available in a specific region, a crucial detail for potential developers.

The discussion also touched on water commitments, which represent agreements that ensure water is available for specific developments. These commitments require developers to pay a deposit to secure the necessary water units for their projects. Additionally, the map includes information on developer agreements, which allow developers to access more water than is currently available by making improvements to the water supply infrastructure, such as drilling wells.

Council members expressed their enthusiasm for the map, noting its potential to improve transparency and facilitate better planning in the face of ongoing challenges, particularly in areas like the West Side, where water availability is a pressing concern. The meeting concluded with a call for public feedback on the tool, highlighting the DWS's commitment to refining the system based on user experiences.

As Hawaii County continues to navigate the complexities of water resource management, this new mapping tool represents a significant step toward greater accessibility and understanding of water availability, a vital resource for both residents and developers in the region.