(BIVN) – Residents using water from the Kaʻieʻie Tank in the Pāpaʻikou area of South Hilo are being advised to boil water if used for drinking and cooking purposes.
“DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST,” stated the Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply in the notice issued on Saturday. “This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until additional water quality testing is completed.”
On Friday, reports of discolored water in the Pāpa‘ikou-area prompted the water department to issue an advisory and begin an investigation.
The water department (DWS) conducted additional investigation Saturday and issued the Precautionary Boil Water Notice for customers. From the DWS:
Bring all water used from the tap to a rolling boil for a minimum of one (1) minute and let it cool before using. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling destroys bacteria and other organisms in the water. Alternatively, customers may add between 1-8 drops of new, unscented liquid bleach with a strength of 5-6% (like Clorox) to each gallon of water for disinfection. Fill a clean container with water, add the chlorine and let the water stand for at least 30 minutes before using. The water will have a slight chlorine odor.
A potable water tanker for the community’s has been stationed at the intersection of Mamalahoa Highway and Mill Road across from Kimura General store.
