WAILUKU >> The Maui County Board of Water Supply has declared a drought emergency in Upcountry areas, enabling it to use water from contaminated wells at Hamakuapoko. Maui Water Board declares
drought emergency in
Upcountry areas
Star-Bulletin staff
The water from the two wells will be filtered to take out the carcinogen dibromochloropropane before entering the county's drinking water system, said George Tengan, the county deputy water director. Under a state mandate, county water officials are able to use the Hamakuapoko water if the board declares an emergency.
The board decided Wednesday against issuing voluntary or mandatory conservation measures to Upcountry residents but planned to consider making a decision at its meeting on Dec. 26. Tengan said the county is using granular activated carbon to filter the Hamakuapoko water from a well capable of providing up to 500,000 gallons a day.
He said water workers are trying to fix the pump at a second Hamakuapoko well, which also can provide 500,000 gallons of water a day.
He said reservoirs serving Upcountry areas, including Kula, were down to less than 55 percent of capacity.
County of Maui
