(BIVN) – The Pāpa‘ikou-area of South Hilo remains under an Essential Use Only Notice, following the unexpected breakdown of the Pāpa‘ikou well.
The Hawai’i County Department of Water Supply (DWS) issued a reminder to customers in the affected area on Wednesday, saying tap water should be used only for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene.
The affected area includes Pāpa‘ikou, Puʻueopaku, Paukaʻa, and Honoliʻi.
“DWS estimates that the Pāpa‘ikou well repair will take about two to three weeks to complete,” the water department stated. “Until then, limiting water use to essential needs only will conserve the water in DWS’ tank until the essential uses only notice can be cancelled.”
The department says it will continue hauling water to the Pāpa‘ikou tank to refill and maintain water storage.
A potable water tanker has also been set up for the community’s use at the intersection of Māmalahoa Highway (Highway 19) and Mill Road across from Kimura General Store. People filling up from the water tanker are reminded to use only clean containers to transport drinking water, the DWS says.
The Essential Water Use Only request will remain in effect until water system conditions improve, officials say.
The DWS provided this additional information in a previous news release:
ESSENTIAL WATER USE ONLY
Customers are asked to use water only for essential health and safety needs, including:
- Drinking
- Cooking and food preparation
- Necessary personal hygiene
- Necessary sanitation
- Other essential household or health needs
PLEASE TEMPORARILY AVOID NON-ESSENTIAL WATER USE
Until this notice is lifted, customers are asked to discontinue or postpone nonessential uses of water, including:
- Irrigation and lawn watering
- Washing vehicles or boats
- Filling swimming pools or spas
- Pressure washing
- Other unnecessary or high-volume water use
