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The Maui News
A Stage 1 water emergency declaration will take effect next Tuesday for Upcountry and West Maui and will impose mandatory restrictions including cutbacks on nonessential water use, the county Department of Water Supply announced Tuesday.
Dry conditions this summer have reduced surface water flows, which supply most of the water to both regions, the department said.
Under Stage 1 restrictions, consumers should postpone the washing of vehicles, irrigation of landscaping and all unnecessary water use, the department said.
Hurricane Douglas, which passed close to Maui County on July 26, dumped rain Upcountry and filled up those reservoirs, Department of Water Supply Director Jeffrey Pearson said. Since then, reservoirs have been slowly dropping.
The two 50-million-gallon Kahakapao Reservoirs are at 60 percent and the 50-million-gallon Piiholo Reservoir at 70 percent.
Seventy percent of Upcountry water comes from surface systems, the department said. At the current levels, the system has six days of surface water storage available.
The majority of water supplied for the county's West Maui system comes from surface water, Pearson said. "Due to minimal rain at higher slopes, stream flows are reduced," he said.
The two water treatment plants that are fed by streams are registering lower flows, said county spokesman Brian Perry. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration U.S. Drought Monitor map last week showed West Maui experiencing "severe drought."
The water shortage order does not affect the Kaanapali resorts, which are supplied by a private water company.
A Stage 1 water shortage means anticipated water demand in an area is projected to exceed available supply by 1 to 15 percent. A seven-day notice has to be issued before a mandatory cutback can be ordered.
When a water shortage is declared, the water director may prohibit water use during certain hours or days of the week; water use for irrigation, lawns, personal washing of vehicles or other nonessential activities; prohibit the use of temporary construction meters and institute water shortage water rates.
A violation of the mandatory water use reductions could lead to a $500 fine per violation and the removal of the meter.
For more information, call the Department of Water Supply at 270-7834.