Draft general plan embraces ‘one water’ approach, wastewater reuse and broadband as essential utility

HILO/KONA — Planning staff presented the public‑utilities chapter of the draft General Plan on Sept. 23, advancing an integrated “one water” approach, measures to expand wastewater reuse and actions to treat broadband as an essential utility.

Bethany Morrison described the chapter’s overarching goal: communities “are adequately served by sustainable and efficient public infrastructure, utilities and services based on existing and future growth needs, sound design principles, and effective maintenance practices.” The draft contains objectives and implementing actions for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, electricity and telecommunications.

Key provisions - Water: Objective 26 urges protection of drinking sources and prioritization of infill development for Department of Water Supply (DWS) service. Action items include investigating alternative financing for system expansion and using DWS standards to estimate service needs. - “One Water”: The plan defines “one water” as an integrated approach to managing drinking water, wastewater and stormwater together and spotlights design strategies to recycle and reuse water where feasible. - Wastewater: Objective 27 calls for expanding municipal sewer capacity in urban growth areas and reducing sewage impacts on water quality. The plan supports facilitating graywater and on‑site reuse through code amendments and collaboration with the state Department of Health. - Stormwater and green infrastructure: Objective 28 promotes nature‑based solutions and updating county storm drainage standards to incorporate low‑impact development and right‑of‑way landscaping. - Energy and broadband: Objective 29 encourages renewable and distributed energy resources for resiliency; Objective 30 treats broadband access as a basic utility and calls for incentives to close “last‑mile” gaps.

Department coordination and data gaps Councilmembers questioned how the planning team coordinated with the Department of Water Supply and other utility providers. Morrison said planners worked extensively with DWS and referenced DWS’s Water Use and Development Plan (last major update cited as 2010) when assessing capacity. She also said planning staff are incorporating DWS standards and continue to request data on water commitments and capacity.

Councilmembers pressed planners on whether green‑infrastructure standards and stormwater updates could also serve as fuel‑breaks or vegetation‑management tools that reduce wildfire risk; Morrison said green infrastructure principally addresses urban runoff and drainage but can support multiple co‑benefits and staff could further refine language to reflect forestry and fuel‑management goals.

Implementation items The draft lists a range of implementation actions (impact‑fee study for utilities, code amendments to enable water reuse, partnerships for renewable energy pilots and advocacy for broadband incentives). No binding budget or schedule was adopted at the Sept. 23 hearing.