Voluntary limits on water use working
By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Residents have done a great job of easing up on water use for the last week, and the Board of Water Supply is encouraging businesses and government agencies to follow suit, a board spokesman said yesterday.
Water use on O'ahu for the week ending Wednesday was the lowest in six weeks. Week ending Consumption* Sept. 3 166.54 Aug. 27 168.51 Aug. 20 170.78 Aug. 13 168.92 Aug. 6 171.78 July 30 167.44 * million gallons per day Source: Board of Water Supply
"Residents have been absolutely wonderful in reducing water use at their homes," said information specialist Wanda Yamane.
Water use down
Board of Water Supply Manager Clifford Jamile said yesterday that if people continue to conserve at the current pace, and if weather permits, the voluntary irrigation schedule could be lifted in mid-October.
Although consumption increased in the Windward and Wahiawa districts from Aug. 28 through Wednesday, overall water use averaged 166.54 million gallons per day — 2 million gallons less per day than the previous week.
While Jamile said it would be ideal to continue conserving water once the voluntary restrictions are lifted, he can see by the brown lawns that watering only three days a week "is in fact taking its toll on the landscape."
The Board of Water Supply has asked for voluntary water conservation because of drought conditions that have left water levels dangerously low.
The board has said mandatory water rationing could be instituted if residents do not restrict water use. The more people conserve, the less likely water will be rationed, Jamile said.
Now the board is focusing on getting businesses, government and the military to conserve more.
"It's an effort that should go across the line to everyone that uses water," Yamane said. "We want to make sure that it's not just residents giving us their kokua."
Restaurants are being asked to serve water only on request, she said.
In addition, Yamane said the board is working with organizations such as the University of Hawai'i, to help them "be better water managers and look to more efficient use of water on campus."
The Board of Water Supply is asking customers to continue the voluntary irrigation schedule of Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday and to postpone putting in new landscaping or lawns. Community organizations are encouraged to hold off from using car washes to raise money.
Reach Treena Shapiro at 525-8070 or tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.
