Drought to trigger Stage 2 water shortage | News, Sports, Jobs

The Maui News

Low surface water flow and lack of rainfall amid drought conditions will push Upcountry from a Stage 1 water shortage to Stage 2 starting Wednesday, the Maui County Department of Water Supply announced.

The Stage 2 water shortage takes effect when anticipated water demand in an area is projected to exceed available water supply by 16 to 30 percent. Daily water demand is currently exceeding supply by 20 percent, according to Water Supply Director John Stufflebean.

“This is being managed by drawing from storage reservoirs, but the reservoirs are now at a level that action is needed to reduce demand by 20 percent,” Stufflebean said in a news release Thursday. “The purpose of the storage reservoirs was to carry us from wet season to wet season, however, since this wet season is expected to be below average, action is needed.”

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s winter forecast issued two weeks ago, less rainfall is expected for the wet season of October through April; it added that Maui and Hawaii island have the worst drought conditions in the “extreme” category. Both islands also suffered large brush fires in August.

The declaration will require Upcountry water consumers to stop using water for irrigation, watering lawns, washing vehicles or other nonessential activities. The use of temporary construction meters will also be prohibited. At this time, there is no change to water rates, the department said.

As a result of drought and other factors, such as Upcountry fire mitigation, the department announced Oct. 21 that a Stage 1 water shortage declaration would go into effect Oct. 26.

Stage 1 water shortages take effect if the water supply director, with the approval of the mayor, determines that anticipated water demand in an area is projected to exceed available water supply by 1 to 15 percent. Residents who use water for nonessential purposes can face fines.

The East Maui watershed services Upcountry residents and farmers from Haiku to Kanaio; the Upcountry water system is separate from the Central Maui system that services South Maui, according to the department. The Upcountry water service area covers Makawao, upper and lower Kula, Haiku, Pukalani, Kokomo, Kaupakalua, Ulumalu, Ulupalakua and Kanaio.

The Upcountry water system has long faced drought conditions, and Maui County has experienced the worst drought conditions in the state in recent years, according to the National Weather Service and the U.S. Drought Monitor.

The department said it will continue to watch supply and demand, along with the weather forecast, to determine next steps.

For more information, contact the department secretary at (808) 270-7816.

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