Kauai water utility plans “complete overhaul” to upgrade aging infrastructure

(UI) – According to the Honolulu Civil Beat, Kauai’s water utility is planning a “complete overhaul” of a system that is “decades behind on replacing miles of century-old pipes.”

Staff issues and lack of funds have left the agency without plans to upgrade the failing water system. However, Joseph Tait, the Kauai Water Department manager, has plans to scrap an outdated water plan and start fresh.

Tait said the agency has identified roughly $300 million worth of infrastructure needs, the Honolulu Civil Beat reported. Upgrading the water system is crucial to improving a housing shortage that is affecting much of the island’s residents.

Tait, the former Executive Vice President of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, is “making progress” by revamping his internal team and hiring a new workforce. The water manager is also soliciting federal dollars to fund the system overhaul.

Councilmembers have called on Gov. Josh Green to invest more funds into improving the utility and bringing clean drinking water to areas of the island that lack vital infrastructure. Doing so will help the utility recruit and retain new employees by offering a much-needed pay raise. The money will also help keep rates low for customers, so residents won’t have to foot the bill for the infrastructure improvements.

This story was originally reported by the Honolulu Civil Beat.

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