A Kauai company has been awarded a $229-million contract to take over the government-owned sewer systems on U.S. Army bases on Oahu and run them for the next 50 years.

Under a contract signed this week, Aqua Engineers, Inc. of Kalaheo will take over wastewater installations at Fort Shafter, Aliamanu Military Reservation, Fort DeRussy, Tripler Army Medical Center, Red Hill Coast Guard, Hickam Air Force Base, Pililaau Army Recreation Center, and Schofield Barracks.

The company will run the systems and be responsible for upgrades, repairs and improvements.

Aqua Engineers has been working with the Army to repair and upgrade the wastewater systems used at Schofield Barracks since 2006. With its resources and budgets stretched, the Army and other military branches have been working to turn over non-military functions like housing, utilities and even base security to private companies.

Aqua Engineers said it expects to save the Army $18 million by its use of new technology and immediate upgrades to the aging sewer systems.

“Our team is excited about the opportunity to team with the U.S. Army in assuming the ownership of the Oahu-wide wastewater utility,” Eassie Miller, president and CEO of Aqua Engineers said in a statement. “Our experience in the wastewater industry and high company standards, combined with our Schofield Barracks wastewater treatment plant ownership experience, enables our team to provide cost effective, efficient, and reliable services.”

Aqua Engineers said its improvements to the Schofield treatment plant enabled it to use fewer chemicals and to produce recycled water to irrigate lawns, golf courses and parks on base.

Founded in 1981, Aqua Engineers runs 28 wastewater systems, more than 75 pumping stations and 11 water stations throughout Hawaii. The company and its subsidiaries, Kauai Precast, A-Vac and Briant Construction, Inc. have nearly 100 employees.

(Source: Pacific Business News)