Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply provides Lala recovery update
Department of Water Supply is prioritizing efforts to restore service to the remaining affected customers in Wai’ōhinu Homestead and portions of the South Point Road service areas, which represents approximately 60 accounts at this time.
Updated at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 2
The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Water Supply has restored water service to most customers in the Nā‘ālehu–Wai’ōhinu water system, however, significant damage to waterlines and other infrastructure has left portions of the system without water.
Department of Water Supply is prioritizing efforts to restore service to the remaining affected customers in Wai’ōhinu Homestead and portions of the South Point Road service areas, which represents approximately 60 accounts at this time.
Mountain House Spring is a critical water source for the affected area and restoring it to the water system is the Department of Water Supply’s top priority at this time.
The Department of Water Supply has secured a contractor to expedite restoration of the Mountain House Spring source and associated infrastructure. Based on a preliminary assessment, the work will include significant repairs to infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Lala.
Repairs are expected to include but not be limited to the following:
- Restoration of access roads necessary to reach and repair damaged water system infrastructure;
- Replacement and repair of damaged waterlines, including pipelines up to 12 inches in diameter; and
- Construction of necessary structures to support and elevate replacement waterlines above drainageways that were washed out by floodwaters.
In addition to the Mountain House Spring restoration, the Department of Water Supply will address significant pipeline and road damage between the two highest-elevation Wai’ōhinu water tanks.
These repairs are an important part of restoring the integrity and reliability of the water system following the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Lala.
Department of Water Supply will coordinate this work with the Mountain House Spring restoration and other emergency repairs to maximize progress toward restoring reliable water service to all affected customers.
Due to the extent of the damage, including washed-out roads, drainage-ways, and waterlines, some repairs will require substantial construction and coordination. Additional information will be provided as the repair scope, scheduling, and contractor availability are confirmed.
While permanent repairs are underway, Department of Water Supply is pursuing temporary measures to assist customers who remain without water service, including:
- Deployment of potable water tankers to the Wai’ōhinu Homestead and South Point Road areas for customers’ use; and
- Installation of temporary waterlines from the Department of Water Supply Wai’ōhinu Homestead area to the Wai’ōhinu Houselots tank, where feasible.
Customers in the affected water system are asked to conserve water during this emergency recovery period. Additional water-use restrictions may be implemented, as necessary, to help maintain available water supplies and system stability while emergency repairs are underway.
