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Average Daily Water Use

WAILUKU - Nearly 4 inches of rain in the East Maui watershed on Wednesday and Thursday boosted flows into the Upcountry water systems, but the gain is dissipating quickly with little rain reported in Maui County over the weekend.

"Upcountry has been especially dry, and it's apparent from the increase in water usage," Water Dirctor Jeff Eng said in his weekly water use report.

At the same time, Eng said, consumers for the most part have been controlling their use, with overall consumption over the period of Oct. 23-29 down by 2.2 million gallons a day from the average use in October 2007.

In Central Maui, consumption for the week averaged 24.15 mgd, well below the October 2007 average of 25.44 mgd.

"Countywide, water production has been good," Eng said. "Central Maui is keeping its usage under 25 million gallons a day and West Maui water usage is down too. I hope this continues."

Demand on the Upcountry system rose to 8 mgd during the past week, while water flows had been dwindling - until a soaking rain fell on the windward watersheds at midweek.

Flows in the Wailoa Ditch had fallen to 19.2 mgd Thursday, before the heavy runoff pumped up the ditch flow to 132.2 mgd Friday. In the county's Upcountry system, the three reservoirs were down to 59.9 million gallons - one-third of capacity - but the midweek rain helped to raise the level to 70.8 million gallons Friday.

For October, the West Wailua Iki rain gauge in the East Maui watershed recorded a nearly normal 12 inches of rain. Normal for October is 15.3 inches. But nearly a third of the October total fell in just two days, with 3.6 inches recorded between Oct. 30 and 31.

Eng said the department cut water treatment at its Olinda plant to limit use of the upper level reservoirs at Waikamoi and Kahakapao.

"With no water coming in at the upper elevations, we reduced production at the Olinda Water Treatment Facility to a bare minimum. Pookela Well in Makawao is running, providing an additional 1.3 million gallons per day. Wells are essential when the reservoirs dry out," he said.

For this week, the National Weather Service forecast is for trade winds to be blowing through Wednesday, which may bring light showers on the watersheds, backing off and then returning by the weekend.

Eng said a national Climate Prediction Center report doesn't indicate whether rainfall through the rest of the year will be better or worse "so we just have to hope we get enough inflows to keep up with demand.

"And likewise, reduce demand to not exceed inflows."