For immediate release: July 20, 2015
Press release by:
Councilmember Gladys Baisa
Chair, Water Resources Committee
Baisa proposes exemptions to aid those on Upcountry water meter list
WAILUKU, Hawaii – Under certain conditions, residents on the Upcountry water meter priority list may be exempted from making costly infrastructure improvements in a bill introduced by Water Resources Committee Chair Gladys Baisa, her office announced today.
The committee will consider the bill on Wednesday, July 22 at 9 a.m. in the Council Chamber.
“Applicants on the list have been waiting years for a water meter and I want to eliminate obstacles they face,” Baisa said. “But we need to also make sure certain protections are in place for the county.”
Applicants on the priority list must first complete fire protection improvements and water system infrastructure before being granted a county water meter and connecting to the system.
Baisa said these improvements can be expensive and may cost up to seven figures for some applicants, depending on their property’s proximity to existing water lines.
“I urge residents, especially those on the priority list, to let me know if my proposal will work or not,” Baisa said. “Please offer solutions on how to improve the bill to address this long-standing Upcountry issue.”
A copy of the bill is posted at MauiCounty.us/wr. Testimony may be emailed to wr.committee@mauicounty.us.
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Review the bill:
