Water service restoration efforts continue for remaining Waiʻōhinu, South Point Road customers
Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply thanks customers and the public for their patience and understanding as it continues assessment and recovery efforts following the catastrophic rainfall and flooding caused by Hurricane Lala.
The impacts of the storm significantly damaged water system infrastructure, especially in the Nā‘ālehu-Waiʻōhinu area.
Current status and recovery priorities
The department restored water service to about 95% of Nā‘ālehu-Waiʻōhinu water system customers.
Recovery efforts remain focused on restoring service to the remaining about 5% of customers — or about 60 accounts — without water at their homes in Waiʻōhinu Homestead and parts of the South Point Road service areas.
Water storage serving the Discovery Harbour area continued to stabilize, allowing crews to shift additional attention toward the South Point Road area.
Storage at the South Point tank is also maintaining adequate levels, so crews have been able to progressively work farther along the system, identifying and repairing damaged sections of waterline.
Mountain House Spring restoration: Department of Water Supply top priority
Restoring Mountain House Spring — a critical water source for the impacted area — remains the department’s No. 1 priority. Returning this source to service is a key component of overall recovery.
A contractor is assessing road access and work necessary to reach and repair damaged sections of waterline from the Mountain House Spring source while the department continues to coordinate with the contractor as this work progresses.
Based on preliminary assessment, the work will include significant repairs to infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Lala. Repairs are expected to include, but not 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.
- Construction of necessary structures to support and elevate replacement waterlines above drainageways washed out by floodwaters.
Additional Waiʻōhinu pipeline and road repairs
Work continues to address significant pipeline and road damage in the Wai‘ōhinu area.
These repairs are an important part of restoring the integrity and reliability of the water system following the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Lala.
Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply will coordinate this work with Mountain House Spring restoration and other emergency repairs to maximize progress toward restoring reliable water service to all remaining affected customers.
Because of the extent of the damage — including washed-out roads, drainageways and waterlines — some repairs will require substantial construction and coordination.
Temporary water supply
Temporary measures to assist customers who remain without water service are being pursued while permanent repairs are underway:
- Deployment of potable water tankers to the Wai‘ōhinu Homestead and South Point Road areas for customer use.
- Installation of temporary waterlines from the Wai‘ōhinu Homestead area to the Wai‘ōhinu Houselots tank, where feasible.
Water conservation
Customers in the affected water system are asked to continue conserving water during this emergency recovery period.
Water conservation measures include:
- Refraining from irrigation or landscape watering.
- Refraining from vehicle washing.
- Repairing leaks on private plumbing systems.
Additional water use restrictions could be implemented, as necessary, to help maintain available water supplies and system stability while emergency repairs are underway.
Water quality
A precautionary boil water notice remains in effect. Customers should continue to follow the notice until the department officially announces it is lifted.
“Stabilization of water storage in portions of the system is allowing recovery efforts to progress into additional affected areas, while work continues on source restoration, damaged waterlines, temporary water supply options and water-quality monitoring,” said the department in a release.
Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply will continue to provide updates as significant recovery milestones are reached.
