Posted on: Friday, December 24, 2004

Water service slowly restored to Kona area

Advertiser Staff

HILO, Hawai'i — Complaints about the loss of water service in Kona slowed to a trickle yesterday as Department of Water Supply officials diverted water into the Hualalai area from adjoining water systems and restored at least some water pressure to most homes and businesses.

The problem was caused by two pumps at Kalaoa and Hualalai that stopped functioning. The smaller pump failed about two months ago, and the larger pump at Hualalai stopped working last week, said Department of Water Supply Manager Milton Pavao.

Pavao said water supply workers completed a temporary fix Wednesday by diverting water north to the 300,000 gallon Kaloko reservoir from another system.

Water supply officials have asked 2,200 homes and businesses in the affected areas north of Kaloko to conserve water, and Pavao said water officials are looking into other possible temporary fixes such as bringing a new well on line ahead of schedule.

Initial estimates were that it may take three months to obtain the equipment needed to repair that Hulalalai pump, but Pavao said water department workers are looking for ways to speed that process along.