Upcountry, West Maui areas asked to conserve water

The county Department of Water Supply is asking customers in the Upcountry and West Maui areas to conserve water due to a lack of rainfall.

The Hawaii Drought Monitor lists most of Maui as abnormally dry, with parts of Maui County in a moderate drought. Water production at the Kamole Water Treatment Facility in Haliimaile has been adequate, with Wailoa ditch flows averaging over 12 million gallons per day, the county said Friday.

Total average consumption for Upcountry is currently greater than 8.5 mgd, and with drier weather, the department expects greater demand for water stored in Upcountry reservoirs. The Piiholo and Olinda water treatment facilities are at about 80 percent and 55 percent capacity, respectively.

The high level at Piiholo reservoir reflects Department of Water Supply pumping, not incoming raw water, the county said. As dry weather continues, reservoir levels and ditch flows will continue to drop, with the risk that Piiholo and Olinda facilities will not be able to keep up with Upcountry demand.

In West Maui, current ditch flows are adequate, but they could also drop quickly as rainfall declines, the county said. Treatment plants at Lahaina and Mahinahina have much less storage capacity than Upcountry, and any reduction in rainfall affects source water much more quickly.

Consumers are urged to use water only as needed and refrain from washing cars, irrigating lawns and reduce other nonessential uses. If dry conditions continue, the department may need to require mandatory water use restrictions.

For water-saving tips, visit mauiwater.org.

For more information, contact Administrative Officer Laura Seaton at 270-8046 or email laura.seaton@co.maui .hi.us.