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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, November 15, 2009

Heavy rains disrupt water service in part sof Kauai, closes Hanalei school

Advertiser Staff

State education officials have closed the Hanalei Elementary School because of the water disruption in the area and portions of Wailua Houselots because of heavy rains and flooding, Kauai County officials said today.

In addition, residents who live on Waipouli and Hauiki roads in the Wailua-Kapa‘a area should boil their water before using it because of the possible contamination caused by infiltration from surface water due to the heavy rains, county officials said.
Fecal coliform or E coli bacteria could possibly be in the water, which might cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms, officials said.
The halt in water service also required state Department of Education officials to announce the closure of the Hanalei Elementary School tomorrow.
Flyers were passed out door-to-door earlier today by county Department of Water (DOW) officials warning affected residents of the possible contamination.
Plans have been made to flush the system tomorrow, and the problem is expected to be resolved by Tuesday afternoon, officials said.
To ensure that their tap water is safe to use, affected residents should boil their water for five minutes, and allow it to cool before using. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water, county officials said..
General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection are available by calling the EPA safe drinking water hotline at 1-800-426-479, Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm, Eastern Standard Time.
Water officials posted a water tanker with potable water at Hanalei Park across from the court house and another was sent to Wailua Houselots Park. Residents need to bring their own containers to transport water, officials said.
The well in Hanalei went down earlier today due to electrical problems and the tanks are empty.
Inspectors also found a leak in one of the pipelines that allows Princeville Utilities Inc., to feed the Department of Water's Hanalei system.
Residents near the Hanalei Pier get their water from Princeville, and the rest of Hanalei will also receive water from Princeville as work crews systematically test the system to locate the leak.
Residents in Wailua Houselots on upper Haleilio Road, most of Kihei Road and all of Kaulana Road are without water due to a watermain break. Crews are currently working on the repair, which is expected to be completed tomorrow.