Maui County Says Stage 1 Water Shortage for Upcountry Will Continue

Maui County officials said while a normal wet season might be on its way, for now Upcountry Maui will continue to be in under a Stage 1 Water Shortage.

“The two Upper Kula raw water reservoirs at Kahakapao, with total storage of 100 million gallons, are at about 70% storage capacity. The Pi`iholo raw water reservoir in Lower Kula, with total storage of 50 million gallons, is near 100% capacity,” according to a Department of Water Supply Press Release. “The “Stage 1 water shortage declared for Upcountry Maui by the DWS on May 24, 2019, will continue at this time, and while most of Maui County is considered to be in drought or near drought status, storage for DWS reservoirs that provide water for Upcountry treatment is adequate.”

However, the county also notes that relief may be coming soon with a change in weather patterns.

“According to the El Nino Southern Oscillation website (https://www.climate.gov/enso ), current El Nino weather conditions are near zero, meaning no or minimal warming of the seas are predicted in the coming months,” said the release. “With El Nino in an anticipated neutral stage, the Department of Water Supply (DWS) is hoping for near normal weather patterns in the coming months.”

DWS customers may check water levels at https://www.mauicounty.gov/1085/Upcountry-Water-Levels.