WAILUKU, Hawaii — The County of Maui Department of Water Supply declared a Stage 1 water shortage for the Central Maui System. The declaration was announced via a news release late Tuesday afternoon.

What You Need To Know

  • The County of Maui declared a Stage 1 water shortage for the Central Maui System.

  • The affected areas include Waihee, Waiehu, Wailuku, Kahului, Spreckelsville, Paia, Kuau, Maalaea, Kihei, Wailea and Makena

  • The department is asking all customers throughout Central and South Maui to follow all water use restrictions to conserve the water supply

  • The mandatory restrictions apply to all users, including county parks and facilities, commercial uses and multifamily units

The affected areas include Waihee, Waiehu, Wailuku, Kahului, Spreckelsville, Paia, Kuau, Maalaea, Kihei, Wailea and Makena.

“Peak water demand over the summer has put a strain on our limited water supply and stresses water resources,” said John Stufflebean, Director of the County Department of Water Supply. “Although the recent rains have been beneficial, water use is expected to increase again throughout the remainder of the dry season.”

The department is implementing Stage 1 of its Water Shortage and Conservation Plan, which is to reduce water demand by 10%. This means a lot of summer water usage — irrigating lawns and landscaping — needs to be reduced. The department is asking all customers throughout Central and South Maui to follow all water use restrictions to conserve the water supply.

The mandatory restrictions apply to all users, including county parks and facilities, commercial uses and multifamily units.

The restrictions allow irrigation for no more than two days per week, according to the following schedule:

  • Monday and Friday for even-numbered residential addresses.
  • Tuesday and Saturday for odd-numbered residential addresses.
  • Wednesday and Sunday for even-numbered commercial facilities and multifamily units.
  • Monday and Thursday for odd-numbered commercial facilities and multifamily unit

Other mandatory regulations include:

  • Customers must repair any leaks, breaks or faulty sprinklers within five days of notice or notification to the extent feasible.
  • Existing pools shall not be emptied and refilled using potable water unless required for public health and safety purposes.
  • Filling or refilling ornamental ponds is prohibited. Ornamental ponds that sustain aquatic life and were actively managed prior to the shortage declaration are exempt.

The department also asks that customers follow some voluntary conservation policies:

  • Avoid washing vehicles unless using a handheld container, hose with automatic shut-off device or at a commercial car wash.  
  • Avoid watering vegetated areas in a manner that causes excessive runoff onto an adjoining sidewalk, driveway, street or gutter.
  • Avoid watering vegetated areas within 48 hours of a measurable rainfall event.
  • Limit irrigation of landscaped areas to the hours before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
  • Hotels may offer their guests the option to not have linens and towels laundered daily.
  • Restaurants may only serve water upon request from patrons.

“We will continue to watch supply and demand and the weather forecasts to determine any changes to the Stage 1 water shortage for Central and South Maui,” Stufflebean said. “We appreciate water usersʻ collaboration to implement these measures.”

For more information, visit mauicounty.gov/water.