Exploratory Wailuku Well Proposed as Actual Water Source

The Wailuku well is located down hill from South Alu Road and the Wailuku water tank in the Kehalani Mauka development. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

The Maui Department of Water Supply plans to convert the Wailuku Well from an exploratory well to an actual water source.

The county filed a Draft Environmental Assessment for the project saying testing has shown the well can produce up to 1,400 gallons of water per minute.

With low-draw-down, water department officials say the well would be a dependable source of potable water.

According to the assessment, the well is one of four replacement wells that the department hopes to use in anticipation of the closure of Wailuku Shaft 33.

At its peak, Wailuku Shaft 33 produced 11.7 million gallons per day, but currently pumps an average of 5 mgd under an agreement with the landowners, the DEA document states. The shaft reportedly began operation in 1948 to provide water for operations of the Wailuku Sugar company.

According to paperwork filed by the county Department of Water Supply, the total capacity anticipated for the two completed wells and the two planned wells is 5.2 mgd.

The Wailuku Well is located within the Kehalani Mauka development just down-slope from South Alu Road in Wailuku.