#drought upcountry

The wet season outlook for Maui County calls for some drought recovery, according to a forecast released by the National Weather Service for the period of October 2013 to April 2014.

Recent heavy rains and forecasts calling for more wet weather, prompted a cancellation today of the 20% voluntary water restriction that was in place for Upcountry water customers.

“Water levels in the reservoirs have dropped to the point that Upcountry customers may run out of water if usage is not severely curtailed,” said department officials today.

The drought watch for Upcountry Maui was officially lifted on Friday, March 15, after nearly four years of voluntary restrictions, said County Water Department officials.

The county’s Water Resources Committee will consider a bill to permit use of water from the Hamakuapoko wells during times of drought. Under the bill, customers in on the Upcountry water system would be permitted to utilize the resource during dry conditions that warrant a drought declaration. Committee Chair, Mike Victorino, who scheduled the bill […]