O'ahu water use rises; residents asked to cut back
By Robbie Dingeman and Sara Lin
Advertiser Staff Writers
O'ahu's water use edged back up last week prompting water officials to remind consumers to conserve during this hot dry weather.
Water use had dipped this month as consumers responded to an Aug. 2 request for voluntary water rationing that followed record-high use early this summer.
The low levels come after five years of drought coupled with increasing demand.
The Honolulu Board of Water Supply's most recent water records show use increased by almost 2 million gallons per day to a level of 170.78 million gallons per day for the seven-day period beginning Aug. 14.
The week before consumption averaged 168.92 million gallons per day.
The all-time high consumption period was set this year at the beginning of June at 180 million gallons per day.
Water board spokeswoman Tracy Burgo urged consumers to each try to cut household water use by at least 15 gallons a day, which would result in a 10 percent reduction.
Burgo reminded consumers to limit lawn and garden watering to Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and only before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. Burgo also asked that people use water wisely. "We're getting reports from people saying 'our neighbors are leaving their sprinklers on four, five hours.' "
The latest use levels show that consumption dipped a bit in Honolulu — from Moanalua to Hawai'i Kai — but was up throughout the rest of the island.
Residents shopping at Home Depot yesterday said they think that people are trying to conserve.
Marge Tanaka of Wai'alae Iki said she's using less water for her yard and garden. "I cut down. I don't water my lawn, but potted plants I have to watch," Tanaka said. "Got to cut somewhere where it doesn't matter so much. Grass comes back."
Lee Awana, of Hawai'i Kai, was buying 'ohi'a lehua and pink dipladenia flowers yesterday and said she hasn't noticed people in her neighborhood watering outside the schedule. "I cut down somewhat, maybe 15 or 20 percent less," she said. "I was so happy when it rained last night."
She waters her potted plants every day — "but it's not that much."
Ed Sugita of Kaimuki said he has been watering at night and using laundry water for irrigation. He pointed to the bag of mulch in his shopping car. "I got mulch, to keep the grass moist so I don't have to water as much."
Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.
