Water Supply Urges Customers to Prepare for Storms

Water Supply Urges Customers to Prepare for Storms

The Department of Water Supply (DWS), County of Hawai‘i, urges its customers to prepare for storms that could interrupt electrical service needed to operate DWS’ equipment and deliver drinking water to their homes, businesses, and other locations.

Hurricane Kiko is forecast to approach Hawai‘i Island early to the middle of next week, according to a September 5 morning update from the National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_ep1.shtml?key_messages.

DWS strongly urges its customers and those who depend on a continuous supply of water to review their personal situations and set aside drinking water ahead of time to meet their essential needs in the event of a prolonged power outage that disrupts DWS service.

North Kohala customers currently under an Essential Needs Only water restriction due to a recent well failure should anticipate water service disruptions and plan accordingly should a power outage affect their area.

Water preparation tips include:

• Determine Household Water Needs.  Each person should have a minimum of one gallon of water

            per day for at least 14 days, according to the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/public-resources/preparedness-information/.  Pets and livestock also require water.

• Store Water Safely.  Use only clean, dedicated, food-grade containers.  Wash containers thoroughly with dishwashing soap, sanitize using one teaspoon of mild liquid chlorine bleach per quart of water, and then rinse thoroughly.  Fill containers from the tap, leaving as little air as possible.  Store in a cool, dark area.  Water that has not been commercial bottled should be replaced every six months, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which offers more information at www.ready.gov/water.

• Treat Drinking Water.  During an emergency, it may be necessary for DWS to issue a Boil Water Notice instructing customers to boil their tap water for at least one minute, allow it to cool, and store in a sterilized container.  Pouring water back and forth between clean containers will improve taste by adding oxygen. Chemical disinfection is another safe way of disinfecting water.  Disinfect water by adding 1/8 teaspoon (approximately 8-10 drops) of chlorine bleach per gallon of water. (Make sure that the bleach contains a 5%-9% concentration of sodium hypochlorite.)  Stir and let stand for 30 minutes.  If the water does not have a slight chlorine taste, repeat the dosage, and let stand for 15 minutes.  If the water from the tap appears discolored or appears suspicious otherwise, do not use it until it has been treated properly for its intended use.  Disinfecting with chlorine bleach will not remove pesticides, petroleum products or other chemicals from water.  See www.ready.gov/water.

• Restrict Water Use.  Extend limited supplies by restricting water during emergencies.  Use water only for essential drinking and sanitation needs.  No lawn watering, car/boating washing, etc.

• Stay Informed.  Sign up for free Hawai‘i County Civil Defense alerts at:
  • https://member.everbridge.net/index/371914103062563#/signup or  www.hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense.
  • The Department of Water Supply will post system updates, availability of emergency supplies provided by mobile water wagons, and other important information at www.hawaiidws.org, www.facebook.com/HawaiiDWS/, and @hawaiidws.
  • Learn more tips about disaster preparedness by visiting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) website, https://www.epa.gov/natural-disasters.

This is your Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply.