Hawaiʻi County issues water restrictions for Honomū after well breakdown

The Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply has issued a Water Restriction Notice for Honomū Village and customers along Honomū Road and Māmalahoa Highway (HWY 19), including all side roads and lanes, after an unexpected breakdown of the Honomū well. Affected customers are required to reduce water use by at least 25 percent, and the notice is effective immediately and until further notice.

DWS officials said conserving use is critical while crews work on repairs and maintain storage-tank levels. The department is hauling water to meet customers’ needs and is “working to complete emergency repairs to return the well to service.” Water Supply officials said, “Reducing water use is necessary to maintain adequate water levels in the water storage tanks for all customers.”

The DWS release lists the affected area in full: “HONOMŪ VILLAGE AND CUSTOMERS ALONG HONOMŪ ROAD AND MĀMALAHOA HIGHWAY (HWY 19), INCLUDING ALL SIDE ROADS AND LANES; HONOMŪ, SOUTH HILO, HAWAI‘I.” The restriction covers the Hilo-side community defined in the notice and applies to all Department of Water Supply customers located within that boundary.

To stretch available supply while the well is offline, DWS advised specific conservation steps customers can take: “Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes”, “Check faucets and pipes for leaks”, “Do not let water run when washing hands, shaving, or brushing teeth”, and “Reduce showering times.” The department also asks customers more broadly “to use water wisely and not waste it.”

Residents seeking more information can contact the Department of Water Supply by phone at (808) 961-8050 during normal business hours, by email at dws@hawaiidws.org, or for after-hours emergencies at (808) 961-8790. The notice reiterates DWS’s page caption, “Ka Wai A Kāne – Water, Our Most Precious Resource,” and closes with the department’s message: “DWS thanks affected customers for their understanding and kokua.”

This action follows recent instances in which DWS issued water restrictions after well or equipment failures elsewhere on the island, and DWS has not provided an estimated timeline for when the Honomū well will be returned to service or how many customers are affected. The restriction will remain in place until DWS completes emergency repairs and restores adequate tank levels.