WAILUKU — A Maui County Council committee was told Monday there is a lack of communication and coordination, understaffing and inadequate training that prevents the Upcountry water system from performing as well as it should, The Maui News reported.

The criticism was in a study conducted by a team of EPA scientists, reporting to the council Water Resources Committee.

The study found that the system meets basic regulations for safety, but water quality is being affected by poor communication, management conflicts and other issues. Low morale, "complacency" and unreliable equipment and facilities are also problems, it found.

"Lack of communications and limited cooperation between operational divisions severely inhibit operations to control contaminants, consistency and stability of the finished water to the customer," according to the report.

While he said the department would look at the report and its recommendations, Deputy Director Eric Yamashige on Monday defended his department and took issue with some of the findings.

"All our treatment plant managers are trained and certified to do their job," he said, while agreeing the department had room to improve.

With understaffing a problem, workers and supervisors are so busy doing their jobs that not much discussion takes place about how to improve the system or reach higher goals, he said.

"They don't have a lot of time to spend together," he said.

He said management had already met to discuss ways to incorporate the study's recommendations.

Overall, Yamashige said he was "very happy" the study found the system was in compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

Council Member Michelle Anderson said she'd ask the department to put in writing the actions it was taking to improve.

"What I want to hear is not criticism of the report, but the proactive measures you're taking to address their concerns," she said.

For more Maui news, visit The Maui News.