For Immediate Release:
Press Release by:
Thomas Cook, Chair
Water and Infrastructure Committee
Maui County Council
media@mauicounty.us
Committee to consider resolution on using recycled water for affordable housing
WAILUKU, Hawaiʻi (Oct. 7, 2024)—The Water and Infrastructure Committee will meet Thursday at 9 a.m. on a resolution urging the county administration to prioritize the use of recycled water and preserve potable water to build affordable housing and for residential uses, Councilmember Tom Cook announced today.
Resolution 24-161, introduced by Cook, would request the mayor and Department of Environmental Management to invest in increasing recycled-water production and distribution and explore public-private partnerships to expand recycled-water use for irrigation and other appropriate purposes.
“It is important to note that the resolution is not mandating where R-1 water will be used,” said Cook, who chairs the committee. “The purpose of this resolution is to recognize the benefits of using recycled water, especially in relation to building housing for our local residents.”
Cook said the Maui Island Plan states that use of recycled water should be increased to help sustain limited freshwater supplies. Recycled water also reduces reliance on injection wells for the disposal of treated wastewater, he said.
“I want to ensure that we craft a resolution that is in the community’s best interest and sends a clear statement to the administration,” Cook said. “I look forward to hearing the public’s ideas and proposals on ways to be responsible stewards in managing public trust resources.”
In-person, online and phone testimony is welcome at all meetings. Testimony instructions are on the meeting agendas, available at mauicounty.us/agendas.
For more information, contact committee staff at WAI.Committee@mauicounty.us or 808-270-7838.
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