(BIVN) – Mayor Harry Kim issued an Emergency Proclamation on Wednesday regarding the North Kona water emergency.

Five wells are currently offline in West Hawaii, forcing all residents and customers in North Kona to restrict water use to health and safety needs only.

“The Emergency Proclamation which was officially signed today was initially intended to be completed in August,” Mayor Kim said in a written statement. “The purpose of this Proclamation is to ensure that all administrative readiness is established by the County in the event that assistance will be needed from the State government. This Proclamation also allows County government to bypass certain procurement policies in the event that emergency purchases must be made. This also includes the use of emergency funds for the use of the Department of Water Supply’s needs.”

On Wednesday, Big Island Video News caught up with Keith Okamoto, chief engineer with the Hawaii County Department of Water Supply, outside the county council chambers in Hilo. Okamoto was prepared to give a presentation to the Hawaii County Council Committee on Agriculture Water and Energy Sustainability on the ongoing Kona water emergency.

A previous plan to update the council on the Water Use and Development Plan for the Keauhou Aquifer System was pushed back, apparently so the presentation could be made in Kona.

courtesy Hawaii County Dept. of Water Supply