News Flash

Press Releases

Posted on: November 2, 2023

Department of Water Supply will issue Stage 2 water shortage Nov. 8 due to drought

Due to low surface water flow and lack of rainfall amid drought conditions, the County of Maui Department of Water Supply (DWS) is advancing the Stage 1 water shortage to a Stage 2 water shortage for the Upcountry service area on Nov. 8. 

 

The East Maui Watershed services Upcountry residents and farmers from Haiku to Kanaio; the Upcountry water system is separate from the Central Maui system that services South Maui. The Upcountry water service area covers Makawao, Upper and Lower Kula, Haiku, Pukalani, Kokomo, Kaupakalua, Ulumalu, Ulupalakua and Kanaio.

 

The declaration per County Code requires Upcountry water consumers to stop using water for irrigation, watering lawns, washing vehicles or other nonessential activities. Also, the use of temporary construction meters is prohibited. At this time, there is no change to water rates.

 

The Stage 2 water shortage takes effect when anticipated water demand in an area is projected to exceed available water supply by 16 to 30%. Daily water demand is currently exceeding supply by 20%, according to Water Supply Director John Stufflebean.  

 

“This is being managed by drawing from storage reservoirs, but the reservoirs are now at a level that action is needed to reduce demand by 20%,” Stufflebean said. “The purpose of the storage reservoirs was to carry us from wet season to wet season, however, since this wet season is expected to be below average, action is needed.”

 

In the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s winter forecast issued two weeks ago, less rainfall in forecast for the wet season of October through April 2024; it added that Maui and the Big Island have the worst drought conditions in the “extreme” category. 

 

As a result of drought and other factors, such as Upcountry fire mitigation, DWS announced Oct. 21 that a Stage 1 Water Shortage Declaration would go into effect Oct. 26. 

 

Per County Code, Stage 1 water shortages take effect if DWS director with the approval of the mayor determines that anticipated water demand in an area is projected to exceed available water supply by 1 to 15%. Residents who use water for non-essential purposes could face a fine.

 

Upcountry water system has long-faced drought conditions, and Maui County has experienced the worst drought conditions in the state in recent years, according to National Weather Service and the U.S. Drought Monitor.

 

DWS said it will continue to watch supply and demand, along with the weather forecast, to determine next steps. 

 

For information, contact the department secretary at (808) 270-7816.

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Press Releases

9/27 MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

Posted on: September 27, 2023

9/25 MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

Posted on: September 25, 2023

9/24 MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

Posted on: September 24, 2023

9/21 MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

Posted on: September 21, 2023

9/20 MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

Posted on: September 20, 2023

9/19 MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

Posted on: September 19, 2023

9/18 MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

Posted on: September 18, 2023

9/17 MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

Posted on: September 17, 2023

09/16 Maui Wildfire Disaster Update

Posted on: September 16, 2023

9/15 MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

Posted on: September 15, 2023

9/14 MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

Posted on: September 14, 2023

9/13 MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

Posted on: September 13, 2023

9/12 MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

Posted on: September 12, 2023

9/11 MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

Posted on: September 11, 2023

9/10 MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

Posted on: September 10, 2023

9/09 MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

Posted on: September 9, 2023

9/07 MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

Posted on: September 7, 2023

9/06 MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

Posted on: September 6, 2023

9/05 MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

Posted on: September 5, 2023

9/04 MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

Posted on: September 4, 2023

9/03 MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

Posted on: September 3, 2023

9/02 MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

Posted on: September 2, 2023

9/01 MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

Posted on: September 1, 2023

8/31 MAUI WILDFIRE DISASTER UPDATE

Posted on: August 31, 2023

Lahaina fires update, 9 p.m.

Posted on: August 11, 2023

Lahaina Bypass is completely open

Posted on: January 28, 2023