CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
John Fruean washed off soap yesterday at a Mililani car wash. The Board of Water Supply has asked that car wash fund-raisers be postponed to save water.
Board warns
public on high
water usageOfficials call for voluntary
restrictions that may become
mandatory if quotas are not met
Starting today, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply wants everybody on Oahu to conserve water by limiting watering of lawns and outdoor plants to three days a week -- Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The restrictions are voluntary for now, but could become mandatory at the end of this month if Oahu's water consumption doesn't decrease by at least 10 percent.
Water consumption in May, June and July has been at record levels, well above consumption for the same months over the last five years, water board Manager Clifford Jamile said yesterday.
At 178 million gallons per day for the week ending July 23, "we've exceeded the five-year average for July by 13 million gallons (per day)," Jamile said.
"This hot summer season, combined with a prolonged drought and relatively dry winters, have taken a toll on our island's groundwater aquifers," he said.
Water levels at a number of wells are down by almost two feet compared to May 2002. Wells of concern include Kaimuki, Beretania, Kalihi, Moanalua, Halawa, Kalauao and Punaluu.
In addition, rainfall remains below average.
"We're not to the point where we're dangerously low, but we're looking for an opportunity to rest our wells four days of the week" with lower pumping levels, Jamile said. "We anticipate the aquifers can recover quite well even under these dry conditions."
Jamile noted that August and September, the hottest months of the year, are usually the months with the highest water usage. That's why the water board is trying to ease the problem before it gets worse, he said.
"If we don't get the expected reductions, there is a likelihood that by late August there will be mandatory restrictions," he said.
The water board asks that there be no outdoor watering between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. During those hottest hours of the day, much of the water used doesn't get to plants, but is lost to evaporation and wind.
The board also is asking that installation of new lawns, which require frequent watering, and car wash fund-raisers be postponed for at least two months.
Jamile emphasized that the schedule "is for everybody using water -- residences, businesses, government and the military."
The board even asks that non-potable water customers and private well users observe the restrictions, "in the spirit of public cooperation," said water board spokeswoman Denise DeCosta.
"If you can't stay on this irrigation schedule, we're asking that you let us know so we can see if we can work out a more suitable schedule for you," Jamile said yesterday at the board's Halawa Xeriscape Garden, which demonstrates landscaping with "unthirsty" plants.
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Reason Veniale passed over a windshield with a soapy sponge yesterday at a roadside car wash off Kamehameha Highway in Mililani.
The only time Honolulu water board customers have faced mandatory restrictions was June to December 1984, Jamile said. At that time customers watered on odd or even days, according to whether their address was odd or even. Jamile said he expects that having everyone either watering or not watering on the same days will be easier to police.
Although there will be no penalty for watering outside the suggested days and times, customers may get a "courtesy notice" from water board employees asking them to comply. If mandatory restrictions are enacted, those that water outside required hours could face a flow-reduction device being placed on their water line.
Most people told of the restrictions yesterday said they make sense and they won't have any trouble complying with them.
"It's not a problem. I water maybe twice a week," said David Ing of Alewa Heights. "The only problem I can see is in Ewa Beach and Kapolei where they have a lot of new lawns and landscaping."
Mike Johnson of Kalihi praised the move, saying he'll adjust watering his yard to the appointed days. "It's a good idea to save water," he said.
"It's going to be hard for us, because we just put in new landscaping and it needs a lot of water," said Masako Nishida of Kahala. "I'm watering almost every day. I'll try it and see how it goes."
Stacey Ramos of Mililani also said she'd comply, though "I don't like to be told when I can and when I cannot do something."
Low rainfall has also affected water tables on Maui and the Big Island.
Maui County water officials have warned that they may have to impose mandatory restrictions if water consumption in the upcountry area does not drop.
Residents and farmers in the area have been under voluntary restrictions since Dec. 4, following an emergency drought declaration for the slopes of Haleakala from Haiku to Kanaio.
Acting Big Island Civil Defense Chief Wendell Hatada has said the entire west side of the island has been under an emergency drought declaration since 2000.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Board of Water Supply
