(BIVN) – The precautionary boil water notice for the Kaʻieʻie area of Pāpaʻikou remains in effect, following the reports of discolored water last week.
Laboratory testing of water samples collected over the weekend from the affected area did not detect any bacteria, reports the Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply (DWS). However, chlorine residuals and turbidity levels have not yet returned to normal.
“Thus out of an abundance of caution, the precautionary boil water notice remains in effect and DWS advises customers to boil all water if used for drinking and cooking purposes,” water officials stated in a Monday news release. “DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST.”
DWS says it is monitoring water quality and will continue to flush the system as appropriate. Customers in the affected area will be notified when water quality conditions have returned to acceptable levels and the precautionary boil water notice can be cancelled.
Meanwhile, a potable water tanker and spigots has been made available for community use at the intersection of Highway 19 and Mill Road across from Kimura General store.
From the DWS precautionary boil water notice issued on Monday:
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.
