Oahu water supply
is no safe bet

Rising usage and a declining
supply prompt the board
to stress conservation

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By Diana Leone
dleone@starbulletin.com

When Clifford Jamile hears a weather report that calls for "a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky," he shakes his head and wonders, by whose standards?

As chief engineer and manager of the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Jamile's idea of a good weather forecast as Hawaii heads into the fourth summer of drought conditions is simple: rain.

What is needed is enough rain over enough time to replenish underground supplies from which the water board draws its only commodity.

Oahu's water use is climbing as the summer wears on, triggering a stepped-up campaign by the water board to encourage conservation.

Jamile puts it this way: "There are not alarm bells going off, but there is a yellow caution light.

"We've had four years with no rain in the winter months, and each year there are lower water levels in the wells," he said. "Please use what you need but no more."

The agency's draw from its wells has increased to an average of 154.5 million gallons a day in 2000 from a daily average of 111.5 million gallons in 1970, an average increase of 1.4 million gallons a year.

Its state Water Commission allows the board to use up to 180 million gallons a day on a yearly average, Jamile said, something it has not had to do -- yet. Last week's daily average hit 171.8 million gallons a day.

Though there is cause for concern, it is not appropriate to declare mandatory water conservation, as happened in the summer of 1984. For one thing, there is actually more water available than there was then, Jamile said.

"I've been through three drought periods in my years here, and each time at the end of the drought, we don't know how we could make it through the next year," Jamile said.

Jamile appears with musician Jerry Santos on TV spots that urge Oahu residents to cut their water use. And he is serious about it.

"Try to reduce water consumption by at least 10 percent, and get used to the idea, even if it's not mandatory," Jamile suggested. It is not so hard. Things like shorter showers, washing full loads of clothes and not hosing sidewalks really add up.

Letters to the agency's 100 largest customers asked them in early summer to voluntarily cut back by 10 percent.

There has been response.

Since summer 2000 the Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe has promoted limiting lawn watering with a "Brown Is Beautiful" campaign, installed 2,500 water-conserving toilets and shower heads, and built a water recycling plant to water the golf course.

Base spokesman 1st Lt. Kent Robbins said, "And now we're looking for ways to make a greater conservation effort in the future."

City Parks Director Bill Balfour said it is genuinely hard to voluntarily cut back 10 percent. "As far as conservation is concerned, we do conservation all the time, wherever possible watering before sunup and after sundown," he said.

The Honolulu Board of Water Supply's top 10 water customers for the month of June: 1. State of Hawaii 384,808,000 gallons 2. C&C of Honolulu 344,465,000 gallons 3. U.S. government 131,263,000 gallons 4. Chevron, USA 45,347,000 gallons 5. Hawaii Kai Golf Course 25,540,000 gallons 6. Hilton Hawaiian Village 22,196,000 gallons 7. Outrigger Hotels 20,966,000 gallons 8. Dole Foods Co. Inc 11,541,000 gallons 9. Mid-Pacific Country Club 9,971,000 gallons 10. Hyatt Regency Waikiki 7,533,000 gallons Source: Board of Water Supply

Balfour, formerly president of Oahu Sugar, said he believes the water that used to be drawn for sugar cane and now remains underground is creating a buffer against serious water shortages during the current drought. "I think that's the reason we've been able to make it this long."

Oahu's water supply comes from six different aquifers -- underground expanses of water-holding rock. For each foot of fresh water above sea level in the aquifer, there's estimated to be 40 feet more below ground. But as you go deeper, the water becomes saltier, said Jamile.

According to a July 26 letter to the water board, there are five water index stations in caution status, the highest rung on the board classifying system for low-water warning: Kaimuki, Kalihi, Halawa, Kalauao and Waihee Tunnel.

The Moanalua and Beretania index stations are listed in alert condition, a more serious condition that means they are 1 foot lower at the well "head."

Moanalua moved into alert condition in May, Beretania in July. Both are less than a half-foot into the alert condition.

The Punaluu station moved into critical in July, but actually has higher water levels than during the same period last year, the letter said.

Not everyone seems to realize they are hastening Oahu to the days when the well is dry. "I'm seeing people washing their car and letting the hose run, and it's not even on the grass -- it's down the drain," said Shannon Wood of Kailua.

"The main thing this time of year is that it's a time of caution," said Denise DeCosta, water board spokeswoman. "Be a good citizen and a good steward."

Water Conservation Tips >>Quick showering: Wet down, soap up and rinse off. -- save 11-21 gallons per shower >>Brushing teeth: Don't leave water running while you brush -- save 5 gallons per brushing >>Tub bath: Use less water -- save 24 gallons per bath >>Shaving: Rinse razor in a filled water basin, not under running water -- save 8 gallons per shave >>Toilet: Use tank displacement bottles -- save half-gallon per flush >>Dishwashing: Wash and rinse in dishpans or sink -- save 25 gallons per wash >>Automatic dishwasher: Use short cycle -- save 9 gallons per wash >>Washing machine: Short cycle, minimal water level -- save 33 gallons per wash >>Outdoor watering: Water when sun is low, cut watering time in half -- save half the amount of water >>Car washing: Use shut-off nozzle, do a section at a time -- save 100 gallons per wash >>Cleaning driveways and sidewalks: Use a rake or broom -- uses no water Source: Board of Water Supply