Water Board relaxes
voluntary restrictionsDemand drops almost
27 million gallons a day since
Aug. 2, water officials say
Honolulu Board of Water Supply officials said recent rains, cooler weather and help from water users prompted them to lift voluntary water restrictions yesterday.
The agency put the voluntary restrictions into effect Aug. 2 when water demand reached an all-time high of 180 million gallons a day. However, as of Friday that volume had decreased to 153.11 million gallons daily.
"It is with cautious optimism that the Board of Water Supply is lifting its voluntary irrigation and conservation request," Manager and Chief Engineer Clifford Jamile said in a news release. "We deeply appreciate everyone's cooperation and concerted efforts during the past four months in using water wisely."
Water users were asked to reduce their consumption by 10 percent and were urged to water lawns and landscaping projects on Sundays, Tuesdays and Saturdays before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. Jamile also said a recent decrease in water consumption might be due to last week's "wintery weather," during which all six Oahu districts reported less water use compared with the week before.
The Honolulu District recorded the biggest decrease, with 3.55 million gallons less water used per day than during the previous week. Windward District water use had the second-largest decrease last week with 1.41 million gallons less being used per day.
According to the National Weather Service, precipitation rates on Oahu were below normal for the entire year until the end of last month. Rainfall numbers for this month were not available, but meteorologists said there was an increase over the past two weeks and that showers should continue this week.
"Over the next several days, we're expecting heavy showers in the afternoon and the evening times," said weather service lead forecaster Tim Craig. "It's a different pattern from what we're used to with morning showers because we have a low pressure to the northwest of us giving us southwest winds.
"So we have another chance for heavy showers in the afternoons all the way through Thanksgiving day."
Despite the rainy weather and decreased water use, Jamile cautioned that Oahu consumers still used 10.03 million gallons more per day last week than the same time last year. According to the Board of Water Supply, Oahu is still experiencing the results of an ongoing five-year drought, and water levels at wells across the island are below normal levels, though they are recovering.
"We thank those of you whose conservation efforts helped to contribute to this week's decrease," he said. "We ask everyone to continue paying attention to his or her water use as our well levels continue to recover."
