Reclamation has an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract with CH2M-Hill and several other A&E firms. Through these contracts, Reclamation can seek proposals for specific types of work. CH2M-Hill's proposal for this particular investigation was selected from among the proposals submitted by several other A&E firms.

"We are pleased at this opportunity and look forward to positive benefits for the State of Hawaii that can enhance the use of storm-water," said Robert Johnson, Reclamation's Lower Colorado Regional Director.

As with other Western states, Hawaii is struggling with water resource issues. Congress recognized Hawaii's need for assistance by providing funds for Reclamation to work with Hawaiian agencies to research ways of creating additional water supply through beneficial reuse of reclaimed water.

During high precipitation periods in the Hawaiian Islands, storm-water runoff can degrade the water quality of streams and bays, and cause downstream flooding.

Reclamation is working in close cooperation with the Hawaiian Commission on Water Resource Management to identify and evaluate ways of intercepting this runoff before it reaches any streams. This initial investigation also will look at potential innovative technology for collecting and treating, if necessary, storm-water runoff, and development of creative as well as traditional uses for the reclaimed runoff.

Success in finding increased beneficial uses of the storm-water could help prevent crises that can occur when there are conflicting demands for an inadequate water supply.

Any new ways of collecting or using runoff, or the discovery of new applications of existing technology to achieve these goals, will be shared with other areas that are considering reuse of urban or rural storm-water runoff.