Moloka'i residents in Kaunakakai and Kala'e have a few more days of conserving water ahead as the repairs to a water pump at the main well serving the communities are not yet completed.

The county says water use may return to normal by tomorrow or Sunday to the more than 1,275 customers who have been affected by the broken pump since July 16, when crews began working on a scheduled repair to the pump and a backup pump failed as well.

The repairs were to have been completed by today but the project is not complete, Mahina Martin, Maui County spokeswoman, said yesterday. Residents and businesses have been asked since July 17 to conserve by not watering their lawns, washing their cars or animals and to use water only for cooking, hygiene and safety purposes.

Some residents came up with creative ways to deal with the call for conservation.

At the Moloka'i Pizza Cafe in Kaunakakai, paper plates are being used to eliminate the need to wash dishes. The eatery has turned off its dishwashers and soft-serve ice cream machine to cut back on water use.

"It is more costly, but the county asked us to conserve water and I'm trying to do my best to go along with the program," owner Sean Connolly said. "It's the way we do things in Moloka'i. When Moloka'i gets its shoulder to the mat, it's amazing how it comes together."

In the meantime, the community's efforts to conserve have helped maintain a steady amount of water in the holding tank, Martin said. It's critical to keep the water level up in case the area hospital and dialysis center need water, she said.

"We're looking forward to the weekend to complete the project," Martin said. "The affected areas have been outstanding in their response to the conservation order."

When crews began work on the scheduled repair, the county had made arrangements with the state Department of Hawaiian Homes Lands to pump water into the holding tank serving the two communities, but the DHHL pump broke.

With no way to fill the tank at its normal rate, the county on Friday issued the conservation plea to the public. On Saturday, county officials went door-to-door and held a meeting urging Kaunakakai and Kala'e residents and businesses to conserve.

Two water tankers have been placed at the regional park, providing drinking water 24 hours a day and non-potable water — for watering plans, showering or toilet flushing — from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day.