Pacific Southwest, Region 9
Serving: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Pacific Islands, Tribal Nations
Kapulena Well Development Project
Kapulena Well Development Project, County of Hawaii Department of Water Supply
EPA is considering authorizing the expenditure of funds awarded to the County of Hawaii Department of Water Supply (DWS) to fund the Kapulena Well Development Project. As required by the National Environmental Policy Act, the EPA has prepared an Environmental Assessment that evaluates the potential environmental effects and consequences of the proposed project. This notice announces the availability of the Environmental Assessment (EA) and draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for public review and comment.
The proposed project would be constructed in two phases; EPA funding would be used to support the second phase of the project. The initial phase of the project consists of drilling and testing a new exploratory well in the Hamakua District of the Island of Hawaii. If pump tests confirm that the well’s yield is adequate and suitable for use as drinking water, DWS will convert the well into a production well, construct a 300,000-gallon water storage tank, and connect the tank to an existing 50,000-gallon tank already in service at the site during the second phase of the project. Additionally, a control building will be constructed on the site to house a chlorination system and control center. Water from the well will replace the surface water source of the abandoned Kukuihaele Spring.
DWS may receive additional federal funding for both phases of the project under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program administered by the Safe Drinking Water Branch of the State Department of Health. DWS has started construction on the first phase of the project, after completing a prior environmental review in order to meet Hawaii DWSRF program requirements.
- Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (PDF) (3 pp, 89K)
- Environmental Assessment for the Kapulena Well Development Project (PDF) (64 pp, 2.8MK)
- EA Appendix A (PDF) (12 pp, 1.8M)
- EA Appendix B (PDF) (16 pp, 1.7M)
- EA Appendix C (PDF) (21 pp, 376K)
- EA Appendix D (PDF) (22 pp, 352K)
Copies of the EA and draft FONSI are also available for review at the following locations:
US EPA, Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street (WTR-6)
San Francisco, California 94105
Contact: Sara Ziff, (415) 972-3536County of Hawaii
Department of Water Supply
345 Kekuanaoa Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Contact: Jason Killam, (808) 961-8070, ext. 249
Any person interested in commenting on this proposed project should submit comments to Sara Ziff (ziff.sara@epa.gov) by September 26, 2010.