Expanding R-1 Water System to Lahaina

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Expanding R-1 Water System to Lahaina

Enhance and improve current facilities for storage and distribution of R-1 water to support an enhanced sustainable water system, healthier ecosystems, diversified economy into the future

Project Description

Enhance and improve current facilities for storage and distribution of R-1 water

Initial phases in this multi-year, multi-phase project to be requested in a more than $62 million ($15.6 million federal, $46.8 million County) construction and design grant by the County of Maui Department of Environmental Management to the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), WaterSMART: Title XVI Congressionally Authorized Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects:

1) Effluent Pump Station
(2) Honokowai Reservoir Site Improvements
(3) Honokowai Pressurized R-1 Waterline
(4) Honoapiilani Highway Recycled Water Lateral Installation
(5) Kaanapali Resort R-1 Water Distribution System Expansion
(6) Honokowai R-1 Distribution System Expansion
(9) Lahaina Waste Water Reclamation Facility R-1 Process Expansion

These phases are being included at this time as they fit into the project feasibility study enabled by a more than $1 million grant provided by the DOI BOR

Ongoing support for additional phases of the project, including:

(7) Lahaina Recycled Water Reservoir and Force Main Rehabilitation
(8) Lahaina Siphon and Ditch Rehabilitation

Existing recycled water demand for the project area (see below) is 1.44 million gallons per day (mgd), expected to increase 1.91 mgd after the first three phases of the project are constructed; a result of the distribution expansion phases will result in 2.62 mgd.

Purpose

A more sustainable water system, healthier ecosystems, diversified economy into the future
Better meet anticipated growth in potable water demand; according to the Maui Island Plan, the West Maui population is anticipated to grow by 64% between 2015 and 2035

Alignment with West Maui Community Plan (WMCP)

Policy 2.3.14 - Reuse of treated effluent and the reduction of sedimentation of near shore waters shall be pursued to protect and enhance the region's land, water, and marine environments.

Action 1.33 - Identify and encourage potential new users of recycled water, including parks, golf courses, and agriculture, and expand recycled water storage and conveyance systems in West Maui to increase the reuse of recycled water.

Policy 1.34 - Study and implement disposal methods and strive to eliminate the use of underground injection control wells, to transition to environmentally sound methods of wastewater disposal and promote beneficial use of wastewater effluent.

Interdependencies and Roadblocks

DOI BOR Congressionally Authorized WaterSMART grant ($20 million authorization for feasibility study and initial phases of the project) - submission, grant award
Permitting (State Department of Health)

Resources Needed:

‍‍County support through Mayor and County Council

Next Steps

Project Details

Cost Estimate:

$62M+ for the initial phases
$89M overall
Date of Estimate: 8-28-24

Potential Funding Sources:

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development water loans and grants
Department of Health State Revolving Funds
County funds

Existing funding sources:

DOI BOR Congressionally Authorized WaterSMART grant for initial phases
County Infrastructure Ordinance, General Excise Tax

Project Lead

County of Maui Department of Environmental Management
Key community members, businesses, nonprofits

Project Partners

KEY IMPLEMENTERS:

County of Maui Department of Environmental Management
County of Maui Department of Water Supply

KEY SUPPORTERS:

Mayor
County Council
County of Maui Department of Agriculture
State of Hawaii Department of Health (permitting, regulation of R-1 water)
State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture
State of Hawaii Office of Hawaiian Affairs
Community Stakeholders
Landowners and Water Users
Hawaii Farmers Union United
State of Hawaii Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
Watershed Partnerships
Hawaii Community Foundation Fresh Water Initiative and Hawaiian Islands Environmental Finance Center
Ulupono Federal Funding Initiative

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Other ERC Projects

Designing Permitting Processes for Accelerated West Maui and Kula Recovery: A Project for Rebuilding

Developing and Integrating a Maui Workforce Ecosystem

Lahaina Business Park: Malu Ulu O Lele

Pathways to Prosperity: Health, Housing, and Economic Diversity for All

Regaining Lahaina’s Harbor for Economic Resilience

Story Mapping and Abundance Planning for Economic Recovery

The Healing Journey (Maui Economic Recovery through Community Healing)

Wai Dashboard

West Maui Water Management Plan

Advancing an Agricultural, Natural Resource & Food Systems Workforce Task Force

Back to ERC

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Key Highlights

ERC members share from the ERC process:

The opportunity to get to know and work with others, who they normally would not meet, in meaningful ways
A new way of doing business together for shared goals: Time to build foundations and relationships, to learn, and to think broadly about what Maui needs for long-term recovery has been really appreciated and is crucial for real impact
Witnessing a de-siloing of government (across levels) and experiencing working with agencies and across sectors provides hope
Mayor Bissen announced that there will be private funding to support two years of project management, so relationships, new ways of doing business together, and the projects will continue through implementation, and our administration will continue to support the people of the Maui and the County after this warm hand-off

Maui Nui Strong is a program of the County of Maui Office of Economic Development that connects our residents, businesses, and visitors to useful information about Maui County, our diverse islands, and a variety of resources that help to promote thriving and vibrant communities.

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