Video courtesy Hawaii County Office of the Mayor | Voice of Stephanie Salazar

Mayor Billy Kenoi joined community members in Ka’u on Monday morning to celebrate the opening of new water spigot facilities across Hawaii County.

The dedication ceremony was held at the Wai`ohinu Solid Waste Transfer Station. It was one of six new or improved spigot facilities located around the island that first opened on Thursday, August 11.

It didnt take long for residents to stop by and draw the clean, potable water from the new spigot.

Officials say that thousands of rural residents in the County are served by household water catchment systems, and many rely on county-operated water spigots to obtain safe drinking water. The water spigot upgrade is a project by the county Department of Water Supply and the county Department of Public Works.

The project cost about $1.1 million, included planning, design, and construction. A grant from the Environmental Protection Agency funded 64 percent of the project – or $719,000 – and the County paid 36 percent – or $402,000. The contractor, Ludwig Contractors Inc., finished 90 days ahead of schedule.

Aside from the new spigot in Waiohinu on Kauila Road, other facilities are located in Nānāwale Estates subdivision in Puna, South Kona next to the Hōnaunau Rodeo Arena, Pāpa‘aloa gymnasium near Laupahoehoe, the Kurtistown Ball Park in Puna, and at Keā‘au Solid Waste Transfer Station.