The County of Hawai‘i Department of Water Supply has announced that the Emergency Water Restriction for North Kona remains in effect. All residents and customers in North Kona must continue to restrict water use to necessities for health and safety including drinking, cooking and personal hygiene.

The restriction prohibits the draining and refilling of swimming pools, hot tubs, water fountains and similar activities. The public is asked to take appropriate measures to reduce the loss of existing water in swimming pools and hot tubs, such as checking the pool for leaks and consulting a pool supplier for appropriate pool covers. The public should ensure proper operation and maintenance of pool pump equipment to conserve water.

Recent well failures at Kohala Ranch Water Company have left the community without an operating potable water source. In response, the Department’s pump contractor has relocated equipment which will push back the completion of the Hualālai and Palani well repairs by roughly a week and a half. Continuing updates on well repairs can be found online at www.hawaiidws.org.

The Department said that water levels have remained stable, due to a significant level of public cooperation. To continue conservation efforts, the Department urges the public to hand water precious plants only at night to reduce evaporation, and to use the County’s free mulch to preserve moisture around plants. Sprinkler use for lawns and grass areas is still prohibited under the water restriction. For more information, visit http://www.hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/greenwaste.

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The Department said that without continued public cooperation, some areas will experience episodic losses in water service or lower water pressures. Residents are advised to store sufficient amounts of water for basic household needs like drinking, cooking and personal hygiene, in case of any lapses in water service.

Potable water can be obtained from a water “buffalo” located on Hina Lani Street below Anini Street as well as water spigots along Ane Keohokalole Highway, between Kealakehe High School and Palani Road. Residents must bring their own water containers to fill.

For more information, visit www.hawaiidws.org. To report any observed wasteful use of water, call (808) 961-8060 during normal business hours or email [email protected]. For after-hour emergencies, call (808) 961-8790.