Maui Stage 1 Water Shortage Declared, 10% Reduced Usage Ordered for Wailuku, Kahului & Pā‘ia

Because of a water pump failure over the weekend, the department is requiring residents of Wailuku, Kahului and Pāʻia to cut back water usage by at least 10 percent beginning May 3 and until further notice.

“We were working to get our three well pumps on line when Wailuku Well No. 2 failed this weekend,” Department of Water Supply Director Jeffrey Pearson said. “This recent failure reduced our water production by an additional 2 million gallons per day, which is significant when combined with three other wells being out of service. We ask everyone to voluntarily conserve water immediately, with mandatory cutbacks beginning after a week’s public notice.”

With four pumps out of service, the department’s capacity to deliver water is down by as much as 6 million gallons per day, Pearson said. Water demand for the Wailuku-Kahului-Pāʻia system averages about 24 mgd. DPW is increasing production at other wells and at the ʻĪao Water Treatment Plant to offset the loss of water from the four wells.

“We hope to have two of the four wells back in service by the end of May,” Pearson said. “The department appreciates our customers’ support during these emergency conditions.”

Consumers with water problems may call the 24-hour service line at 270-7633.