Lahaina

Each year, the Maui Office of Water Supply provides residents with an Annual Water Quality Report confirming that our water meets all established federal and state municipal water standards. We encourage you to review this document as it offers valuable information about the source and quality of the water delivered to your community in 2017.

The Hawaii Department of Water has been monitoring and testing water quality since its establishment in 1949. To ensure your water's safety, numerous tests are conducted annually to detect potential contaminants including bacteria, nitrogen-based herbicides, asbestos, lead, copper, petroleum products, and byproducts from industrial and water treatment processes.

It's all about prevention! Frozen pipes can leave you without water during severe weather and cost significantly to repair. By taking some simple precautions, you can protect both your budget and peace of mind.

BEFORE COLD WEATHER ARRIVES:

• Check sprinkler or irrigation systems - ensure everything is turned off and fully drained
• Identify your home's freezing points - examine areas vulnerable to freezing like crawl spaces, unheated rooms, basements, garages, and exterior walls
• Protect your pipes - wrap exposed pipes with insulation, electrical pipe heaters, or even fabric/newspaper
• Strengthen your defenses - eliminate cold air sources near water lines by sealing crawl spaces, fixing drafty windows, insulating walls and attics, and sealing drafts around doors
• Know your water shut-off valve location - tag or label it for quick identification in emergencies

WHEN TEMPERATURES REMAIN BELOW FREEZING:

• Keep water flowing - when temperatures hover near 10°F, consider leaving a thin stream running continuously from at least one tap, preferably the furthest from your meter
• Help pipes stay warm - open cabinet or vanity doors to allow warmer room air to circulate around pipes

IF YOUR PIPES DO FREEZE:

• Shut off water immediately - don't attempt to thaw pipes without turning off the main shut-off valve
• Thaw pipes safely - warm the surrounding air using a hairdryer or space heater (never leave heaters unattended and avoid kerosene heaters or open flames)
• Be cautious when restoring water flow - after thawing, slowly turn water back on and check for any cracks or leaks that might have developed from freezing

FINDING HOUSEHOLD LEAKS:

Many leaks develop slowly and secretly, especially near drains or outside where they're not easily detected. Common problem areas include bathrooms, water softeners, crawl spaces, outdoor hoses, and irrigation systems.

To locate leaks, first find your water meter (typically in the basement on the front wall, in a laundry room, or utility closet). Check the low flow dial - if it's moving when no water is being used, you likely have a leak.