Upper Kula Water Change

By Wendy Osher

Upcountry water storage. File Photo.

The Olinda Water Treatment Facility returns to the use of chloramines for disinfection following a temporary switch to chlorine in August when reservoirs were at near-empty conditions.

The switch in system disinfectant from chlorine back to chloramines will occur on or around Friday, December 16, 2011.

Chloramines (chlorine and ammonia bonded together) have been used in the Upper Kula water system since 1985.  Water officials on Maui say the chloramines provide similar protection as chlorine without the risk of creating potentially harmful disinfection byproducts.

Water officials say the Olinda Water Treatment Facility (WTF) provides approximately 1.2 million gallons of water to the Upper Kula and Ulupalakua area per day.  While the facility was on reduced service, the Piiholo Water Treatment Facility in Lower Kula was used as a source for the Upper Kula community.

Both facilities filter water from the East Maui rain forest; however, the Olinda facility uses microfiltration technology and chloramines for disinfection, and the Piiholo facility uses direct filtration and chlorine.

Customers with questions about water quality may call the DWS laboratory at 270-7550, or log on to www.mauiwater.org.

For health concerns, customers may call the Maui District Office of the state Department of Health at 984-8200.

*** Supporting information courtesy County of Maui.