Department of Water installs temporary pump to Kalaheo deep well

The Department of Water (DOW) has installed a temporary low capacity submersible pump to its Kalaheo deep well, to provide supplemental water service to the Kalaheo area until full restorations are completed. All areas of Kalaheo should now have water service. However, it is still necessary to continue to use water for essential needs only, even if water pressure appears normal.

Essential uses now include cooking, bathing, toilet flushing, and necessary laundry washing. Residents are asked to continue to refrain from car washing, turning off automatic sprinklers and outdoor irrigation systems.

“It is important for Kalaheo residents to know that the water they are currently receiving comes from temporary sources with limited productivity,” said Kirk Saiki, DOW’s Acting Manager and Chief Engineer. “We have installed these temporary sources to minimize public inconvenience. Until we have completed the repairs to fully restore our Kalaheo deep well, there will continue to be a higher risk of intermittent low water pressure and outages. High water usage will increase these risks.”

In addition to the temporary submersible pump, the DOW has installed a temporary pipeline and booster pump to supplement the transmission of water to the Kukuiolono and Kakela Makai tanks. With these temporary installations, crews have since suspended manual water delivery methods.

The DOW announced last Thursday, that a full restoration to the Kalaheo deep well could take four to six weeks to complete.

The DOW has noticed more productivity in filling its water tanks since the Kalaheo community meeting held Saturday. Officials thanks the public for their efforts and ask that they continue to endure water conservation measures until further notice.

Water buffalos for essential uses are currently located before the entrance to Kukuiolono Park and on Milia Street in Kakela Makai. A water tanker with non-drinkable water is located at Kalaheo Neighborhood Center, for toilet flushing only. If you are unable to access the water buffalos or tanker, please call 245-5455.

The DOW thanks the public for their patience, understanding and cooperation in continuing water conservation measures. The DOW also thanks its contractors, the Department of Public Works, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Office of the Mayor for their support, additional assistance and diligence throughout the entire process.

The DOW will continue to update the public via Connect CTY notification service. To sign up for this service, visit www.kauai.gov or call Civil Defense at 241-1800.

Updates will also be posted as new information is learned on the DOW and the County of Kauai Facebook pages, www.facebok.com/KauaiDOW and www.facebook.com/countyofkauai.

For more information please call the Department of Water at 245-5455.