Water Main Break Forces Leeward Coast
to Conserve Water
Author: Brianne Randle
Story Created: Mar 11, 2009 at 7:10 PM HDT
Source: http://www.khon2.com/home/ticker/41131572.html
The 24- inch water main break happened Tuesday along Farrington Highway.
"We found that line had a split in it, that it was broken," says Su Shin, Board of Water Supply.
And Wednesday Board of Water Supply crews were still on the scene making repairs. Even after working overtime through the night.
"Because it's such a large main, these repairs aren't fast or simple," says Shin.
And getting to the break has proved tougher than expected.
"It's on a slope and so there were difficult conditions, big rocks and various things that made the digging a little more difficult."
Working quickly is essential. The main serves nearly all residents and businesses from Honokai Hale to Makaha.
"We need that line in order to refill reservoirs, and while the repairs are being done we can't do that."
Shin says there's only a finite supply of water in the reservoirs - and when that supply is gone there's no other way to refill them.
"There are some smaller local sources on the leeward coast, but they're not enough to meet the demand of the businesses and residents in that area."
The Board of Water Supply says the situation is urgent. Whatever water use Leeward residents can put off is advised.
"To conserve water, basically use water for essential needs only."
Residents have heard the warning before. The nearly 50-year old transmission line broke last year in nearly the exact same location.
But there is light at the end of the tunnel. A project is underway to replace that line by the end of Summer.
"This work on Farrington highway is crucial," says Shin. "So we won't have to deal with any more main breaks on this line."
4:00pm UPDATE:
Board of Water Supply crews expect to be working into the evening. Traffic is not affected by this work, which is located off the shoulder of Farrington Highway, town-bound after Laaloa Street.
Although the Board of Water Supply has no reports of customers without water at this time, as a proactive measure they are dispatching a water wagon to Nanakuli Avenue, near the Nanakuli High School football field.
