How much water do I need? Consumers should ensure a safe supply of water for emergency use, by storing at least two (2) quarts of water per person per day that you expect an emergency to last. In other words, a supply of two gallons of water per person should last for 4 days. Don't forget to have some water on hand for your pets.topDon't wait to store water supplies. It would be wise to clean containers you will be using to store water ahead of time. Once you have been advised to store water, it would be best not to wait until the last minute, as many other people will be trying to draw water at the same time.
How can I disinfect my water for drinking? If the water system did not have any main breaks or loss of water pressure, the water quality can generally be assumed to be safe for drinking. Otherwise, any water that will used for drinking, cooking, or brushing the teeth should be properly disinfected before use.
Consumers should listen to the radio for advisories on the areas where water has become contaminated and unsafe to drink. Follow directions and advisories from the Maui Department of Water Supply, Civil Defense, or the Department of Health on disinfecting water and/or the location of alternative water supplies.
Should there be any concerns over the safety of the potable water, the following may be considered for disinfecting water:
Heat
- Strain the water through a clean cloth into a container to remove any sediment or floating matter.
- Boil the water vigorously for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Allow the water to cool. The flat taste caused by boiling is easily removed by adding a pinch of salt to each quart of boiled water or pour the water back and forth from one clean container to another.
Chemical Treatment
When boiling water is not possible, chemical disinfection should be used. The two chemicals commonly used are chlorine or iodine. Strain the water as in step #1 above and purify with chlorine or iodine as follows:
Chlorine - Any household bleach solution (plain, not scented) that contains hypochlorite may be used for disinfection. The strength is given on the label; use the following to determine the amount of chlorine to add per quart of water.
Available Chlorine Drops per Quart of clean water* 1% 10 4-6% 2 7-10% 1 *Double the amount for turbid (cloudy) water
The treated water should be mixed thoroughly and allowed to stand for 30 minutes. The water should have a slight chlorine odor, if not, repeat the dosage and allow the water to stand for an additional 15 minutes. If the treated water has too strong a chlorine taste, it can be made palatable by allowing the water to stand exposed to the air for a few hours or by pouring it from one clean container to another several times.Iodine - Common household iodine from the medicine chest or first aid kit package may be used to disinfect water. Add five (5) drops of 2% United States Pharmacopeia (U.S.P.) tincture of Iodine to each quart of clear water. For turbid water add 10 drops and let the solution stand for at least 30 minutes.
What are the hours of operation for the Department of Water Supply?
In general, the Department's hours of operation are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays (Monday through Friday). The Customer Service Front Window on the 5th Floor of the Kalana O Maui Building in Wailuku is open from 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. The Department is closed on weekends and holidays. For a breakdown of the hours of operation by division, see the table below:top
DIVISION / SECTION HOURS OF
OPERATIONCustomer Service Front Window 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Board of Water Supply 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Administration 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fiscal 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Engineering 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Water Resources 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Field Operations 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Plant Operations 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Water Treatment Plant Operations 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
No. DWS is a non-profit County of Maui department. The DWS budget is completely funded through the rates charged for water services provided to customers. Rates are approved by the Mayor and County Council. The Department does not receive any tax revenues.top
I'm confused with all this water terminology. Where can I find the definitions of some common water terms?
Check out the glossary page. There you will find a listing, in alphabetical order, of the Department's most commonly used terms and their definitions. If you are still confused or can't find the term you are looking for, you can always call customer service at 270-7730.top
Call the Maui County Department of Water Supply (DWS) Customer Service Representatives at 270-7730. Or stop by our Front Window on the 5th Floor of the Kalana O Maui Building, located at 200 South High Street in Wailuku. The Front Window is open from 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, and closed on weekends and holidays. See the customer service page for much more information on specific topics.top
What is my account number for? Where can I find it?
Your account number identifies you and your property address in our customer billing system. Please use this number whenever you contact us with questions about your account. You can find your account number on the first line of the top portion of your water bill. See the diagram on the How To Read Your Water Bill page for the exact location of this number.top
How can I sign up for Automatic Bill Payment?
Automatic Bill Payment is a simple way to have your water bill paid without writing a check and using stamps. Go to our ABP Information Page for instructions and the sign-up form.top
E-bill is a simple way to pay your water bill through the internet. Go to our E-Bill Information Page for instructions and to sign up.top
How do I request emergency services?
For all areas, direct operations trouble calls to 270-7633 (24 hrs). This includes calls requesting emergency water turn-off, reporting a water meter leak, a water main break, or a fire hydrant leak. You may also call this number for emergency problems with water quality and low water pressure.top
How do I establish new water service at a property that is not already connected to the system?
First, call Customer Service at 270-7730. You must be the property owner and you'll need your tax map key and lot number. Also, you will need to know the name of your subdivision if it is an approved subdivision.topIf your property is not in an approved subdivision, you'll be referred to the Engineering Division. An engineer will check if any improvements are necessary before water service can be established. Call 270-7835 for more information.
If no improvements are necessary, you can come in and apply for a water meter. The engineer will guide you in what you need to do.
How do I read my residential water meter?
Your meter is probably located within the property boundary fronting your house. It is usually in a box. If you cannot find your meter or have a locked meter box, please call 270-7730.topClick here for details about how to read your residential water meter. Use the "back" button to return to this page.
Payment of your water bill can be done in one of three ways. You may mail the top portion of your water bill along with your payment to the following address:top
Department of Water Supply County of Maui 200 South High Street Wailuku, HI 96793-2155To ensure that your account is properly credited, please write your account number on your check (you can find your account number on your bill). Make checks payable to: Department of Water Supply.
Secondly, you can bring your bill and payment in person to the Front Window on the 5th Floor of the Kalana O Maui Building, located at 200 South High Street in Wailuku. The Front Window is open from 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, and closed on weekends and holidays.
And finally, you may pay at any County Baseyard (Lahaina, Hana, Molokai) or at the Maui County Service Center at the Maui Mall in Kahului, providing you pay the minimum amount due on or before the DATE DUE. You must have a complete bill (top and bottom portion). The Service Center accepts CHECKS ONLY.
To avoid late payment charges, please allow sufficient time for your payment to reach us by the DATE DUE.
If you have specific questions about your water bill, please direct them to our Customer Service Representatives at 270-7730 or stop by the office.
Your bill is based on how much water passes through your meter -- so whether it's used or wasted, you pay for every drop. That's why it is so important to use water wisely. Maui County water is actually the least expensive out of the four County water suppliers in the State. The average family on Maui pays less than $2.00 per 1,000 gallons of water delivered to their home. That's less than ½ ¢ per gallon. Please call Customer Service at 270-7730 if you have further questions.top
I'm confused with the new format for the water bill. How do I read it?
See How to Read Your Water Bill.top
What is the monthly Water Service Charge for?
The monthly Water Service Charge ranges from $8.00 for a 5/8" meter to $550.00 for an 8" meter. This fee goes to read, maintain and replace the customer's water meter. This allows the customer to have water service available at anytime. See the diagram on the How To Read Your Water Bill page for the exact location of this charge.top
Why is my sewer (wastewater) bill higher than my water bill?
The County of Maui is required by the State and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to clean wastewater before returning it to the environment. The Department of Public Works and Waste Management establishes the rates for the sewer charges portion of your bill. Although the Department of Water Supply handles the collection of sewer bills, it is separate and independent from the charges you are assessed for water services. However, your sewer charges are computed on the amount of water you consume. If you reside in an area that is not serviced by one of the County Municipal wastewater reclamation facilities, this fee will not appear on your bill. Please call 270-7420 for more information about the sewer portion of your bill.top
Wastewater (or sewer) is the used water that goes down the drains inside our houses and businesses. The wastewater portion of your bill pays the costs associated with cleaning wastewater and returning it to the ocean safely. Please call the Wastewater Reclamation Division of the Department of Public Works and Waste Management at 270-7417 for more information on wastewater.top
If you live in Upcountry Maui, your water is surface water from the streams in East Maui. It's treated and disinfected at one of our three water treatment facilities (Kamole, Piiholo, Olinda) before it's delivered to your home. Customers in Haiku get their water from the Haiku or Kaupakalua wells and/or the Kamole WTF. For Central Maui (Kahului, Wailuku, Waihee, Maalaea, Kihei, and Paia) your water is groundwater from the Iao Aquifer under the West Maui Mountains. That water is naturally filtered by lava rocks, disinfected, and sent to your home. A small amount of filtered surface water is added to the Central System at the Iao WTF. Hana and Molokai also use groundwater. Lahaina has a mix of surface water and groundwater. The water treatment facilities for West Maui are located above Lahainaluna School and near the Kapalua Airport.top
Is Maui County's drinking water really safe?
Yes. Maui water meets or is better than all standards set by the federal and state governments. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Hawaii State Department of Health require the Department of Water Supply to test the water regularly to make sure it's safe. Take a look at our Water Quality Reports. They tell you about the source of your water, show any detected contaminants or elements in the water and ensure you that your drinking water meets all safe drinking water standards. To ensure that your tap water is safe to drink, the EPA sets maximum limits on the amount of certain contaminants in public water systems. If you are concerned about your water quality, you may request more information or a water quality test. Just give the DWS Laboratory a call at 270-7550.top
What causes occasional taste and odor changes in Maui water?
All water has its own unique taste and odor characteristics. Maui, like many other water suppliers, occasionally experiences taste and odor changes. Based on the different minerals found in minute quantities in certain aquifers, the taste of the water may vary. Taste and odor problems can also come from new or old pipelines, plumbing fixtures, or changes in water quality. Customers may notice changes during severe storms with heavy rain, when reservoir water levels are low, or during temperature changes and hot weather. These changes do not affect the safety of the water. Flushing the water can solve this problem. As a general practice, water should be flushed in the morning or when not used for 6 to 8 hours.top
Why is chlorine added to the water?
Chlorine is added to the water as a disinfectant. It is used to protect you from any harmful bacteria that may be present in the water. If you do not like the taste of chlorine, put some water in a container and let it sit overnight in the refrigerator.top
Why does my water look milky sometimes?
Milky water is usually due to air bubbles trapped in the pipe lines. Let the water stand in a glass for several minutes. The water becomes clear from the bottom up if air is the cause. This water is safe to drink. Flush all the taps in your home to clear the lines.top
Hardness is measured in mg/L (milligrams per liter). Any reading over 75 mg/L is considered as hard water. Surface water is generally soft water. Makawao, Pukalani, Lower Kula, and Upper Kula have soft water between 17 to 69 mg/L. Ground (well) water here on Maui is usually 51 to 171 mg/L.top
The pH of water in the various districts on Maui are:top
Central: 7.3 - 7.9 Makawao: 7.6 - 9.1 Lahaina: 7.8 - 8.2 Lower Kula: 7.9 - 9.0 Upper Kula: 7.2 - 9.7 Molokai: 7.2 - 7.9 Hana: 7.5 - 7.9
How much water does an average residential customer use in a month?
For 1998, the average person used about 250 gallons per day. That number is usually higher during lawn watering periods.top
Why do we have droughts Upcountry?
Because the water for the Upcountry area is from streams. When it stops raining, the stream flow stops, too. Droughts are a part of the regular climate cycle, and occur every 3 to 4 years. The Department of Water Supply is currently endeavoring to mitigate the effects caused when we experience a drought by the integration of ground water sources from East Maui as an alternative supply. Additionally the Department is in the process of investigating the feasibility of constructing additional storage reservoirs to meet peak demand during droughts. These reservoirs are very expensive as well as environmentally controversial. The County of Maui State Legislative package for this year contains two million dollars for this purpose. Without State funds, we would not have the storage that we currently have. Check out the drought page for updates.top
Where can I get more information about lead in Upcountry residential plumbing and what is the DWS doing about it?
Please see the lead page.top
I live in Upper Kula. What are chloramines and how can they affect me?
Please see the chloramines page.top
I recall receiving notices about the water quality in Upcountry Maui, but I haven't seen one in a long time. What happened to those notices?
Since 1999, the water supplied to the Upcountry area has been in compliance with EPA and Hawaii State Department of Health regulations. The last notice was mailed out in March 1999. See the Water Quality Report page and go the the Upcountry section to see current water quality in that area.top
How do I find out information about wastewater reuse/reclamation (recycled water)?
The Wastewater Reclamation Divison of the Department of Public Works and Waste Management is responsible for wastewater reuse/reclamation (recycled water) for the County of Maui. You may call Steve Parabicoli directly at 270-7426 for more information about re-used (recycled) water.top
How do I find out more information about wastewater?
The Department of Public Works and Waste Management is responsible for all wastewater in the County of Maui. This Department is in charge of all sewer issues, wastewater and pumping facilities, wastewater collection lines, and cesspool pumping. Please call the Wastewater Reclamation Division at 270-7417 for more information about wastewater.top
Check out the conservation page for a handful of articles on how you can conserve water. Also, you can call the Water Resources & Planning Division at 244-8550 and leave a message on the recorder.top
Maui County has a reliable water supply, so why should I conserve?
There are lots of good reasons to conserve water. Here is our top ten list:top
- It's the responsible thing to do. You'll also...
- Save on water bills.
- Model responsible behavior for children.
- Save on sewer (wastewater) bills.
- Protect fragile ecosystems by reducing streamflow draw.
- Save money for your children -- every two percent conserved pushes back expansion by one year.
- Save money on heating bills.
- Reduce load on wastewater treatment plants, delaying the need for expansion.
- Preserve our most precious natural resource.
- Reduce storm water pollution.
The Maui Department of Water Supply employs accountants, engineers, clerical personnel, pipefitters, microbiologists, heavy equipment operators, mechanics, water treatment plant operators and more. The department hires the most qualified candidates for each of our positions.topIf you have what it takes and are interested in a career with the Department of Water Supply, check with the County of Maui's Department of Personnel Services to see the current list of continuous recruitment vacancies. The Department of Personnel Services handles recruitments for all vacancies for the Department of Water Supply. Job openings are posted in the Personnel Services office, located at Ka Lana O Maui, 200 S. High Street, Wailuku, HI 96793, on the 6th floor. Openings are also advertised with local newspapers, including the Maui News. County positions are also listed with America's Job Bank.