The Maui County Department of Water Supply is advising Central and South Maui residents and businesses to boil water as a precautionary measure.

The affected area includes Kahului, Spreckelsville, Paia, Kuau, Wailuku Heights, Waikapu, Kihei and Wailea.

This afternoon's break on the 24-inch transmission line in Happy Valley, while unlikely, may have compromised the water quality in the water system. Until laboratory staff can collect samples to ensure the safety of the water, customers should boil water before consumption.

Customers should boil water before drinking it. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.

The Department of Water Supply will inform you when tests show no bacteria and boiling is no longer needed. We anticipate resolving the problem by Monday, April 14, 2008.

For more information, please contact Jacky Takakura at 270-8046 during regular working hours. The DWS 24-hour service line is also available at 270-7633 for water service problems. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the US EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1(800) 426-4791.