DWS urges residents to check for water leaks
The Hawaii County Department of Water Supply is encouraging all customers to check for plumbing leaks during Fix-A-Leak Week, which runs Sunday through March 24.
In recognition of this national event and to promote water conservation efforts islandwide, the Department of Water Supply will be distributing free toilet tank leak detection tablets at its office locations in Kailua-Kona, Waimea and Hilo, as well as 2-6 p.m. Wednesday at the Hilo Safeway store, while supplies last.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the average American home can waste more than 10,000 gallons of water every year from running toilets, dripping faucets and other household leaks.
To check for leaks, residents should observe their water meter after turning off all faucets, spigots and other household appliances (dishwashers, clothes washers, etc.) If the meter is still moving, a leak may be present. Customers should also review their water bill for spikes in water usage.
For more leak detection and water conservation tips, visit www.hawaiidws.org or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website at www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week.
Hawaii Women’s Legal Foundation supports volunteer mediator training
The Hawaii Women’s Legal Foundation has awarded a joint grant to Kuikahi Mediation Center and West Hawaii Mediation Center.
“We are thrilled to receive this support to conduct advanced training for our professionally trained volunteer mediators,” said Kuikahi executive director Julie Mitchell. “Our goal is to increase access to justice for our parent clients and restraining order clients through the provision of conflict resolution services.”
“These trainings are essential to ensuring that our mediators have the skills and expertise necessary to assist clients in domestic and family mediations and in restraining order mediations,” said Amanda Blount, interim executive director of West Hawaii Mediation Center.
Domestic mediations help parents put children first after separations through negotiating child custody, parenting time, and co-parenting plans. Restraining order mediations help complainants and respondents seeking an “Injunction Against Harassment” in District Court to sit down in a safe environment and discuss whether to proceed to trial or to amicably resolve their differences.
Info: Kuikahi Mediation Center via 935-7844 or www.hawaiimediation.org and West Hawaii Mediation Center via 885-5525 or www.whmediation.org.