Senator J. Kalani English
Chair, Energy and Environment Commitee
State Capitol, Room 205
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 587-7225
Contact: Chris Martelles

PRESS RELEASE
March 30, 2004

Unsafe Lead Levels in Upcountry Water Unresolved

Senator English Introduces Resolution to Address Role of Feds

Some residents of Maui have resorted to drastic measures to escape from the "upcountry itch," a condition alleged to come from additives meant to reduce lead levels in the upcountry water supply. While some go to friends' houses to bathe, others import bottled water from purified sources at an additional cost to their monthly county water bills. Unfortunately for residents and government officials alike, state water quality is regulated by Federal standards, particularly those included under the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Safe Water Act Lead and Copper Rule, and if Maui County were to ignore EPA requirements, massive fines and administrative pressure would be brought to bear by the Federal government.

Senator J. Kalani English, 6th District (Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i & Kaho'olawe) has been at the forefront of the effort to address this important issue. Senator English said, "The residents of Maui, and all of Hawai'i, deserve clean and safe water, a service which they pay the county for each month. The process to achieve safe standards has been difficult because of the inflexible nature of current EPA rules and I am adamant that these federal deficiencies be corrected as soon as possible."

Since June of 2001, upcountry water systems in Maui have been using additives to reduce high lead levels found in the systems supplied by surface waters. Despite following all of the prescribed treatment methods set forth by the EPA, upcountry water systems are still unable to reduce the lead to safe levels.

Concerned about the lack of flexibility and leadership offered by the EPA, Senator English introduced a Resolution on March 24, 2004 urging the EPA to quickly address the shortcomings of federal water quality regulation. Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 185 and Senate Resolution (SR) 102 emphasize providing federal water quality standards based on sensitivity to varying local environmental conditions and on providing flexible treatment plans that are practical, effective, and health sensitive.

Senator English said, "This resolution was put together with the help of experts in the science and health communities who, along with myself, feel that many provisions in the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule are detrimental to the health of our residents. These rules should encourage the flexibility to incorporate various local needs and environmental factors into treatment methods for lead levels. The acidic nature and low mineral content of surface waters in Hawai'i leads to an increase of leaching from pipes, and I am concerned that the current federal policy is not setting appropriate standards or treatment methods to protect the communities serviced by groundwater."

SCR 185 can be accessed online at: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessioncurrent/bills/scr185_.htm

SR 102 can be accessed online at: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessioncurrent/bills/sr102_.htm

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