Weather aids water department

Central Maui’s use falls well below the target level


WAILUKU — A stretch of Kona conditions with a low-pressure trough moving in from southeast of the islands provided several days of overcast, drizzly weather and helped to cut water use across the county, the Department of Water Supply reported.

“The department is encouraged by the support expressed by the community for its continuing efforts to promote conservation,” Director of Water Supply Jeff Eng said Friday.

Across the county, water use was down by 1.7 million gallons a day, with demand on the Central Maui system falling to 23.94 mgd — well below the average for the prior two weeks and below the target usage limit of 25 mgd.

Periodic showers across most of the islands were a likely factor, although rainfall totals were still low for most areas.

The arid Kihei area had just one day over the past week when there was measurable rainfall, with half an inch recorded over 24 hours at 8 a.m. Thursday.

But rain gauges in upslope areas of Kula (0.75) and Ulupalakua (2.85 inches) indicated that the rainfall covered a broad section of the eastern slopes of Haleakala.

Key watershed areas of Puu Kukui (3.27 inches) and West Wailua Iki (5.43 inches) were the chief beneficiaries of the early April rains, reflected in flows into the Upcountry water system.

But the recovery was minimal for the region that relies on surface water sources.

Upcountry reservoirs were refilled from 98.4 million gallons on April 2 to 110.9 million gallons on Tuesday, but were down to 106.9 million gallons on Friday.

The Wailoa Ditch, which provides up to 5 mgd for Upcountry consumers, peaked at 176.6 mgd on April 7 and was flowing at just 68.8 mgd Friday.

While most of the state received significant rainfall over the past week, the islands remained in abnormally dry conditions, with the U.S. Drought Monitor saying the rainfall prevented further deterioration but did not relieve the overall dry conditions.