The Department of Water Supply amended the Unsafe Water Advisory for Lahaina's remaining zones to remove areas L-5 and L-6. Water serving buildings and homes in areas L-5 and L-6 is now declared safe for unrestricted use effective August 2, 2024. Therefore, as of this date, all water in the public water system in Lahaina is safe to drink.
The Department of Water Supply verifies its water quality testing up to the water meter. For privately owned water systems, it is the property manager's responsibility to test the water quality of their properties. Community members can search an address using the interactive Water Advisory Map to confirm if their address requires testing; these areas are denoted on the Water Advisory Map with green hatch marks.arks.
Important actions for reusing tap water for first time post-advisory
The evidence makes clear that fire-related contaminants did not impact areas removed from the advisory, however, there are concerns related to water that may have stagnated within homes and buildings while the advisory was in effect. To address these concerns, the Department of Water Supply 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.
Determination process for removing areas from advisory:
The decision to amend the advisory to remove specific areas, was based on multiple lines of evidence:
Approval of the Sampling Analysis Plan/Decision Flow Chart: Understanding the flow of water through the system and the fire impacted areas were instrumental in determining where to take water quality samples. The sampling plan and decision flow chart provide the framework and protocol for modifying the Unsafe Water Advisory for current specified portions of Upper Kula Area and Lahaina and for future areas; both were developed in coordination with the State of Hawaii Department of Health (DOH), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Water Quality Sampling/Testing: The Water Quality Laboratory conducted multiple rounds of water sampling/testing at numerous sites throughout the Upper Kula water system. The test results from those samples reported as non-detectable. Samples were tested for Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs), Synthetic Organic Compounds (SOCs), Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs),metals, nitrates and coliforms. Considerations were given to organics contamination from potential stagnation periods and to ensure that, if present, they would be detected. Although lead was detected at fire hydrants along the system after first draw samples, subsequent flush samples resulted in no lead detection for Upper Kula Area UK-2A. For Upper Kula Area UK-1, subsequent flush samples resulted in no lead levels above the federal action level.
System Isolation: The homes/structures that were destroyed/damaged by the fire were isolated and their water meters removed, to ensure that the potential for contamination was minimal.
Water Hydraulics: Considering the design of the system, elevation, the physics of water hydraulics and the evidence presented at this time, it was determined that the area was isolated from impacted areas within the system and the Department is confident in its decision to amend the Unsafe Water Advisory for specific named sections of Upper Kula and Lahaina. The decision also took into consideration if specific areas lost water pressure.
Regular Consultation: The Department of Water Supply met regularly with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), State of Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) and experts that have experienced wildfires and the recovery aspects involved pertaining to water systems and that they support the decision to amend the advisory.
