Beaches Re-Open After West Maui Force Main Break

Lahaina, file photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

WATER MAIN UPDATE: 9:23 a.m. 5/8/13.

All beaches are now open in Lahaina, according to an announcement issued this morning by the County of Maui Department of Environmental Managaement.

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A broken force main in West Maui on Tuesday, May 7, resulted in temporary calls for water conservation, and the planned overnight closure of beaches from Māla Wharf to Hanakaʻōʻō.

County officials say a contractor broke an existing 20-inch sewer force main at around 2 p.m. at a Wahikuli construction site, which in turn forced the shutdown of the Lahaina 3 Pump Station for repairs.

An urgent advisory was issued just before 6 p.m. calling on residents from Puamana to the Lahaina Civic Center to conserve water to help prevent overflows.  The advisory was lifted at around 7:30 p.m. after temporary repairs were completed and the pump station returned to full service.

As of 7:30 p.m., county officials said a small leak remained, but crews remained on site trying to completely seal the remaining leak.

County Communications Director Rod Antone issued an update confirming that a spill did occur over land in Lahaina.  The size and exact location of the spill was not specified, however county officials said it was “contained” and “cleaned.”

“To the best of our knowledge, no spills reached the ocean; however, the beaches remain closed overnight as a precaution,” the county update stated.

***Check back for updates, which will be posted as they become available.