(BIVN) – Recovery efforts continue in Kaʻū, where water system infrastructure was severely impacted by the catastrophic rainfall and flooding caused by Hurricane Lala in August.
The Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply issued an update on Friday, detailing ongoing assessment and recovery efforts, especially in the hard hit Nā‘ālehu–Waiʻōhinu area.
“Approximately 98% of customers now have water service,” the department stated. “Recovery efforts are focused on restoring water service to the approximately 2% of customers who remain without service in the Waiʻōhinu Homestead service area.”
Water service has been restored to all customers along South Point Road. From the DWS:
As service restoration continues, increased water use has placed additional demand on the South Point tank, causing storage levels to decline significantly. Under normal operating conditions, both Hāʻao Spring and Mountain House Spring supply water to the South Point tank. Currently, however, Hāʻao Spring is the only source available to refill the tank due to significant damage to the Mountain House Spring waterline.
To help maintain adequate water storage, DWS is supplementing the South Point tank with potable water hauled from another DWS water system. DWS has installed and will continue to install flow restriction devices on customer meters along South Point Road, as necessary, to help maintain adequate water service throughout this area.
Restoring Mountain House Spring to the water system remains the water department’s top priority. “DWS and its contractor have assessed the work necessary to transport materials and equipment to the damaged sections of the Mountain House Spring waterline,” the Friday update reports. “DWS is evaluating options to expedite repairs, including the potential use of helicopters to transport materials and equipment to the repair sites.”
Repairs are expected to include but not be limited to the following:
- Restoration of access roads necessary to reach and repair damaged water system infrastructure;
- Replacement and repair of damaged waterlines, including pipelines up to 12 inches in diameter, with measures designed to improve their resilience to future heavy rainfall and flooding.
There was also significant pipeline and road damage in the Wai‘ōhinu area. “DWS is working to coordinate and expedite these repairs alongside the Mountain House Spring restoration to maximize progress toward restoring reliable water service to all affected customers,” the update states. Some of these repairs “will require substantial construction and coordination.”
The department says it will continue to provide potable water tankers to the Waiʻōhinu Homestead area, Discovery Harbor Clubhouse, and the Island Mart parking lot in Nā‘ālehu for customers’ use.
The Precautionary Boil Water Notice remains in effect for the area.
“DWS appreciates the continued patience and cooperation of affected customers,” the water department said. “DWS remains focused on restoring water service to remaining affected customers, while continuing efforts to restore critical water sources, repair damaged waterlines, provide temporary water supply options, and monitor water quality.”
