Status report on Maui’s water supply.

“The Department of Water Supply department is extremely concerned about the current state of the drought and the near and mid-term weather forecasts,” said Director of Water Supply Jeffrey Eng. “The department is considering declaring countywide mandatory water use restrictions at this time.”

With the lack of rainfall in the East Maui watershed, the Upcountry water system is being severely tested, according to Department of Water Supply officials. Upcountry’s primary water source is the Wailoa Ditch. Water from this source is treated at the Kamole Water Treatment Facility, which currently provides water to Makawao, Pukalani, Lower Kula, Upper Kula, ‘Ulupalakua and Kanaio. Over the last five days, the Wailoa Ditch has averaged only 12.4 million gallons per day (mgd), which is nearing all-time record low flows. From this amount of water, the Kamole Water Treatment Facility draws 5 to 6 MGD and the Kula Agricultural Park requires 1.5 to 2 mgd to keep its booster pumps operating properly.

“What little water remains is utilized by the sugar plantation to prevent its crops from literally dying,” said Eng. “Its planting operations have ceased.”

The West Maui water system is also dependent on surface water, but not to the extent as Upcountry. The Honolua Ditch is currently at extremely low levels, and it is the source of water for the Mahinahina Water Treatment Facility. Due to the very low ditch flow conditions, recent daily production is at least 30 percent less than in the months of May and June.