Water department: Continue to conserve

The drought continues with water levels in Upcountry reservoirs and West Maui streams running low as the water department reminds residents in those areas to conserve water.

Water Director Jeffrey Pearson issued a Stage 1 water emergency declaration for those two regions, which are mostly supplied by surface water, effective Sept. 8. Consumers should postpone the washing of vehicles, irrigation of landscaping and all unnecessary water use, the Department of Water Supply said. A Stage 1 water shortage means anticipated water demand in an area is projected to exceed available supply by 1 to 15 percent.

In West Maui, water from the Honolua Ditch has been running very low, and the department plans to temporarily shut down the Mahinahina Water

Treatment Facility this week to maintain supplies of water for fire protection in the facility’s reservoir, a department news release Monday said. The shutdown will remain in effect until weather conditions improve.

West Maui consumers continue to receive domestic water with groundwater wells producing water at full capacity to make up for the loss of surface water supply, estimated at 1 million to 1.5 million gallons per day.

Water storage in Upcountry reservoirs is down to nearly 20 percent for the two 50-milliongallon Kahakapao reservoirs. To provide water to Upcountry residents, the department is pumping 1 million to 1.5 million gallons per day from Lower Kula to Upper Kula.

“We thank our customers for all their efforts to conserve water by eliminating all but necessary uses of water,” said Pearson.