(ABOVE) The Department of Water Supply sign on Kekuanaoa Street in Hilo

UPDATED at noon to include Hamakua water restriction

PAHOA, Hawaii – Parts of Puna are now under a water restriction.

At 11:45 p.m. on Friday, the Department of Water Supply issued an emergency water restriction notice. “With ongoing HELCO power generation shortfalls for Hawaii County,” wrote the agency, “the DWS reports low water tank levels in the Pahoa water system.”

Until further notice, Water Supply says customers from Pahoa town to Kapoho including Maku’u Ag Lots are advised to restrict water use to essential use only. Water restriction means a 25% reduction in daily use.

Part of HELCO’s generation shortfalls could be attributed to the shutdown of Puna Geothermal Venture Thursday night. Reports say fallen trees disrupted transmission lines. The shutdown forced PGV to vent hydrogen sulfide gas, alarming residents in Leilani Estates, Lani Puna Gardens, and Pohoiki. A civil defense message was issued as a result.

Also, a customers located in Papa’aloa, Laupahoehoe, and Waipunalei area are advised to restrict water use to essential use only.

Again citing the ongoing HELCO power generation shortfalls, the DWS reports low water tank levels in the Laupahoehoe water system in the Hamakua District. The department is asking area residents for a 25% reduction in daily use.