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The Maui News
An area under the unsafe water advisory for Upper Kula has been removed, the County Department of Water Supply announced Tuesday night.
Water serving homes and buildings in Zone 1 has been determined to be safe for unrestricted use. To determine if your address is in a specific zone, see the interactive map which can be found by going to www.mauicounty.gov/.
The interactive map has been broken down into five zones for Upper Kula. Zone 1 is now in green. If your address is in the green area, the unsafe water advisory no longer applies, the county said.
Zones 2 through Zone 5 remain under the unsafe water advisory.
The advisory was issued on Aug. 11, as a precautionary measure due to the unknown impacts of the wildfires in the area.
The decision to amend the advisory by removing Zone 1 from the affected area was based on multiple lines of evidence which include water samples, testing, along with consultation with Federal Emergency Management Agency, Environmental Protection Agency, State of Hawaii Department of Health and experts that have experienced wildfires and the recovery aspects involved pertaining to water systems.
The county said those agencies support the decision to amend the advisory.
The evidence makes clear that fire-related contaminants did not impact the Upper Kula Zone 1 however, there are concerns related to water that may have stagnated within homes and buildings while the advisory was in affect for the zone, the county said.
The Water Department recommends that customers flush their lines for at least 10 minutes. The purpose of flushing is to remove any standing water in plumbing and pipes due to non-use and replace with fresh water.
Flushing involves opening valves and faucets and allowing water to flow from each faucet for at least 10 minutes to remove any residual standing water from interior pipes and/or outlets.
Once flushing has been completed, do not be alarmed if water presents a cloudy, or milky appearance, this is natural. The cloudiness is due to tiny air bubbles in the water. Like any bubbles, the air rises to the top of the water and goes into the air, clearing up the water.
Those in Zone 2 through Zone 5 still should not drink or boil their water to drink or to cook.
The fires may have caused harmful contaminants, including benzene and other volatile organic chemicals, to enter the water system.
Residents still under the advisory should still limit use of hot water, limit shower time/bathing (use lukewarm water and ventilate area), use a dishwasher to wash dishes and use air dry setting, wash clothing in cold water, avoid using clothes dryers (dry laundry outdoors), do not take baths, do not use hot tubs or swimming pools, do not use ice from automatic ice makers and use proper ventilation when using water indoors.