Food Service Program
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Food Service Incentive Program
The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) is now offering a water conservation incentive program to the food service category. Through the program, participating food service operations will be given the opportunity to install a high-efficiency aerators and/or high-efficiency pre-rinse spray nozzles as a means of conserving water and to helping to lower their water bill.
Pre-Rinse Spray Valve
Spray Faucet Aerator
Program Information
Interested in participating?
Call: (808) 237-6877
Email: watersensible@boardofwatersupply.com
Saving Water in Restaurants
Restaurants can use a lot of water, with the largest uses taking place in the kitchen and restrooms. A number of resouces are available to help restaurants manage their water use more effectively, including these WaterSense® guides from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
- Saving Water in Restaurants (November 2012)
- Best Management Practices for Commercial and Institutional Facilities (October 2012)
Drinking Water Upon Request
In an effort preserve and protect Oahu's finite water resources, the BWS adopted a rule, effective January 1, 1992, prohibiting automatic serving of water to customers at Oahu restaurants.
Did You Know:
Every glass of water served in a restaurant requires another two glasses of water to wash and rinse the glass!
Be water sensible. Help us conserve Oahu's water supply. Please serve water only on request.
Table Tent Cards:
- Download Tent Card
(When printing, do not
select the "Fit to Printer
Margins" setting.)
- Online Order Form
(Pick-Up Orders Only)
BWS Drinking Water Upon Request (Section 2-209, 5) Rule
The Department (Board of Water Supply) shall restrict the serving of drinking water to any customer unless expressly requested at any restaurant, hotel, café or cafeteria, or any other place where food is sold, served, or offered for sale. These restrictions shall not apply to catered groups of 25 or more people. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the imposition of a fifty-dollar ($50.00) special assessment for each violation, or in the discontinuation of water service and/or penalties as authorized in Section 2-205, 2b and Section 5-501 of these Rules and Regulations.
The BWS asks restaurants for their kokua in reminding staff and customers of this regulation. Under the rule, staff may serve water upon request or may ask the customer if they want to be served a glass of water.
Water Upon Request Table Tent Cards
Oahu restaurateurs are invited to use a "water upon request" table tent card produced by the BWS. Download the card or request an order for pick-up, while supplies last.
Updated: 07/27/2022