Posted on: Saturday, March 22, 2003

More tests delay change in Maui water

By Christie Wilson
Advertiser Neighbor Island Editor

KULA, Maui — The Maui County Department of Water Supply has decided to perform a third round of lead testing in homes on the Upper and Lower Kula water systems, delaying plans to switch to a different chemical additive to address complaints about skin and eye irritations.

The water department had planned to switch from Calgon C-9 (zinc orthophosphate) to phosphoric acid for the Upcountry water system starting Monday. That date has been moved to April 14.

The department began adding C-9 into the Upcountry system in June 2001 under orders from the state Department of Health and the federal Environmental Protection Agency. The chemical reduces lead leaching by preventing corrosion in pipes found primarily in older homes.

Since the chemical was added to the system, at least 88 people have reported problems including rashes, itching and burning eyes. Water officials decided to replace the zinc orthophosphate with phosphoric acid, which is essentially the same chemical without the zinc.

The two-week lead testing period will start April 1, with the state Department of Health laboratory analyzing the samples.

Since the use of C-9 began, the Upper and Lower Kula water systems showed one test result from last April in compliance with federal lead and copper rules, and one test from December that was not, said water department spokeswoman Jacky Takakura. A third test will provide data on the effectiveness of C-9, she said.

The Makawao system, which also includes Ha'iku, Pukalani and Hali'imaile, passed both the April and December tests, so additional sampling will not be taken for that water system. However, because the three water systems are linked, Takakura said the change to phosphoric acid must begin on the same date at all three water treatment facilities.