URGENT: Maui Outage Prompts Calls for Water Conservation

Two generating units at the Maalaea Power Plant tripped off line at around 1:37 p.m. on 3/1/12 prompting calls for water conservation. MECO Maalaea Power Plant, file photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Water officials on Maui are urging conservation until tomorrow, March 2, 2012, due to the impacts of the widespread power outage on Maui this afternoon.

As of 3:48 p.m., MECO had restored power to 80% of the estimated 20,000 customers affected by the power outage.

“Until full electrical power service is restored by Maui Electric, the department is unable to pump water to maintain desirable water levels in the storage tanks,” said Maui Department of Water Supply Administrative Officer Jacky Takakura.

Customers are asked to use water only as needed for health and safety purposes in order to extend the supply available in the storage tanks, until the water can be restored to safe levels.

Customers are asked to call the Maui Water Department’s 24-hour service line (270-7633) only if a water problem occurs.