October 15, 2010 – Honokaa, Hawaii

By Stephanie Salazar

County waters users in Hamakua are under an emergency 25% water restriction – which is expected to last 30 days – after the Haina well pump broke down.

The areas under the emergency 30-day water restriction include Honokaa, Ahualoa, Kalopa, Pohakea, Upper Paauilo, Kukuihaele and Kapulena.

The County Department of Water Supply announced it will replenish the Honokaa Hospital Tank by water tanker, the Waimea-Ahualoa Water Transmission System or temporary – and/or emergency use of the Honokaa Well.

In the meantime, it is recommended that you conserve how you can. Use a broom instead of a water hose to clean the driveway, check the house for leaky faucets or pipes, wash only full loads of laundry or dishes, and use other water conservation measures.

Media release form the Department of Water Supply (10/15)

Due to the breakdown of the Haina Well pump, Department of Water Supply (DWS) customers in the Honokaa area will be provided drinking water from an emergency source beginning on October 14, 2010, for a period of up to six (6) months.

This source may not meet all drinking water standards; therefore, customers are advised to keep informed on the quality of their drinking water by contacting DWS. Consumers should also be aware that the DWS may need to increase the amount of chlorine disinfectant to eliminate bacteria in the source water. As a result, stronger chlorine tastes and odors may become noticeable in the drinking water.

People with severely weakened immune systems may wish to take extra precautions to minimize their risk of infection from parasites, such as cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium is very resistant to chlorine and has caused waterborne disease outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness worldwide. People with severely weakened immune systems are likely to have more severe and persistent symptoms than healthy individuals, and should consult with their health care providers about how to protect themselves against cryptosporidium from all sources. Individuals who are severely immunocompromised may include those who are infected with HIV/AIDS, cancer and transplant patients taking immunosuppressive drugs, and people born with weakened immune systems. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed guidance on cryptosporidium for people with severely weakened immune systems. This document is available through the DWS or by going online at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/consumer/pdf/crypto.pdf

If bacteriological sample should indicate the presence of fecal coliforms, the DWS will be responsible for notifying all affected customers. Affected consumers will be advised to boil all water used for drinking or cooking purposes until further notice.

DWS water system customers should make every effort to conserve precious drinking water to minimize their dependence on this emergency source.

Water customers desiring more information should contact Mr. Keith Okamoto at 961-8070, ext. 257

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