Kauai Water Department to Raise Rates Nov. 1, First Increase in 12 Years
The Kauai County Department of Water announced that water rates will increase starting Nov. 1, 2026. It is the department's first rate adjustment since 2014; the new schedule was approved by the county Board of Water Supply on Sept. 24.
According to the department, the increase is meant to cover rising costs of operating, maintaining and renewing the island's public water infrastructure. Service charges and usage rates will rise for both general and agricultural customers; the existing tiered structure will be replaced with a graduated rate schedule, and an annual automatic adjustment tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) will be introduced so the department no longer relies entirely on periodic rate reviews. The new rates will appear on bills from Dec. 1.
The increase affects customers across the department's service areas, including households, businesses and farms in Kekaha, Waimea, Hanapepe and Eleele. The department said rates had not changed in 12 years while pipeline maintenance and replacement costs have climbed sharply, making the new rates plus annual inflation adjustments necessary to keep service sustainable. Residents can view the detailed rate schedule on the department's website.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：考艾岛哈纳雷湾（资料图）。照片：tdlucas5000／Wikimedia Commons（CC BY-SA 2.0）。Hanalei Bay on Kauai (file photo). Photo: tdlucas5000 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).
