Drilled in 2002, the Pookela well was believed to have a capacity of up to 2 million gallons a day. But in December, water production estimates were revised downward to 1.5 million gallons a day.

On Monday, while giving council members an update on the well, Water Director Jeff Eng said it has been running since May and is providing 1.3 million gallons daily, an output lower than anticipated by councilors.

"Sort of anti-climactic, isn't it? So disappointing," said Water Resources Committee Chairwoman Michelle Anderson.

Eng acknowledged missteps by the department for taking five years to bring the well on line and for not having correct information about the amount of electrical power needed to pull water out of the ground. The electrical miscalculation resulted in the need to redesign the pump and motor, which took more time, he said.

"It will be never be done like this again," Eng told committee members.

Council Member Danny Mateo said he found the water department's management of the Pookela well project to be inadequate and unacceptable.

He said he was worried about the department's ability to develop new water sources in the future, particularly "if this is our track record."

The Pookela well draws water for mostly Makawao water consumers. They and other Upcountry residents have been required to cut back water consumption since June 13 because of ongoing drought conditions. With water intakes at Upcountry reservoirs running nearly dry, county water officials have been forced to take the costly step of pumping water uphill from the Kamole Weir, which receives water from the Wailoa Ditch.

Getting the Pookela well on line has been a top priority for the water department since the new county administration took office in January, Eng said. An engineer was assigned to the project full time and operational testing was conducted by mid-May.

By May 24, the well went into full operation, pumping water 24 hours a day.

While its output has not reached earlier expectations, the well's water has softened the impact of the Upcountry drought.

"It came just in the nick of time," he said. "Without it, I'm afraid to know where we would be today."

Eng told council members that the Pookela well drilling project was seen by staff as the "worst" project ever done by the water department. "It's certainly the most difficult to date," he told The Maui News.

With the well project's long development history, Eng said he was unable to say how much it cost to put in service.

During a public forum organized last week by the Wailuku Main Street Association/Tri-Isle Main Street Resource Center, Eng said the county was in dire need of more water sources.

"We are falling further and further behind. That's just the fact that our community is growing," he said.

In addressing the forum's question about whether Maui faces a water crisis, Anderson said: "I do think we are in a crisis. . . . In fact, we're pretty much tapped out."

Eng told about 75 people attending last week's forum that the county intends to establish a new water development plan in the next two years. The county also is working with the U.S. Geological Survey to discuss the plan and possible partnerships, he said.