Urgent: Upper Kula Drinking Water Advisory

By Wendy Osher

A drinking water advisory has been issued for residents in Upper Kula following heavy rains last night.  The rains washed out 60 feet of an 8-inch waterline near Kawehi Place in Kula. 

File image by Wendy Osher.

As a result, officials with the Department of Water Supply are advising Upper Kula residents and businesses from Waiakoa Road to Kanaio to boil water as a precautionary measure.  Officials say the broken waterline may have compromised the water quality in the system. 

The affected area includes Alae, Naalae Road, Waipoli, Polipoli, Waiohuli, Keokea, Ulupalakua and Kanaio.  Customers in the affected areas should continue to boil water before consumption until water service is restored and laboratory staff can collect samples to ensure safety.
 
There is also low to no water pressure reported for customers on Kawehi Place, Oluolu Place, parts of Koheo Road, Pilikino Place, and Polipoli Road to the intersection at Middle Road.  DWS personnel are working on the repair and sat water should be restored by 6 p.m. today.
 
Customers from Waiakoa to Kanaio should not drink the water from the tap before boiling it first.  Water should be brought to a boil, then should sit for one minute, and left to cool before using to kill bacteria and other organisms in the water.  The other alternative is to use bottled water.  Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice.   

Portable water tankers will be stationed at the intersection of Kula Highway and Lauie Drive, and at Kula Hospital at approximately 11 a.m. today for customers to fill their own containers.  
 
The DWS 24-hour service line is available at 270-7633 for water service problems.  General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the US EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1(800) 426-4791.