Water Main Break Causes Emergency Water Shut-Off

***Updated at 4:15 to include updated information from the Department of Water Supply. ***

The Department of Water Supply has announced that water tankers are now available for affected customers, located at the intersections of Hokulani Street and Haleloke Street, as well as at the intersection of Mokihana Street and Manu Place.

Repairs to the water main are expected to be completed by 10 p.m. Thursday.

***Original story posted at 12:18 p.m.***

A water main break in Kaumana has caused the Department of Water Supply to conduct an emergency water shut-off to customers in a number of Hilo areas.

DWS spokeswoman Kanani Aton told Big Island Now that the water main break occurred in a forested area in the Akolea Road and Haleloke Street area. Based on initial reports Aton said that the water main break appears to have been caused by a fallen tree. Customer phone calls reportedly began to stream in Thursday morning upon the resumption of the work day.

Affected areas include Sunrise Estates, Sunrise Ridge, Hilo Hillside Subdivisions, and a variety of neighborhoods in the immediate Kaumana area.

All subdivisions, side streets, and private roads along Kaumana Drive from Chong Street to Pilialoha Street, as well as services along Chong Street from Na’auao Street to Lewa Nu’u Street, including Lawelawe Circle and Nowelo Street Extension, are affected by the emergency water shut-off.

Customers who are in the area affect may experience low water pressure or no pressure at all during the remains.

DWS estimates that remains will be completed by 8 p.m. Thursday.

Water use in the area should be restricted to essential necessities only and residents are urged to abide by the following:

• Keep water use to an absolute minimum
• Water should be used for essentials only
• Do not wash cars or water lawns
• Turn off or disconnect any devices or fixtures that regularly draw water.

Anyone experiencing emergency water concerns should call 961-8790.