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Big Island Irrigation Systems Water Levels

HONOKAA-PAAUILO IRRIGATION SYSTEM

CURRENT STATUS:  A CAUTIONARY LOW -VOLUNTARY WATER CONSERVATION 10%CUTBACK IS RECOMMENDED

Repairs to the Honokaa-Paauilo Irrigation System are well underway.  Water has been restored to the Lower Hamakua Ditch and we have refilled the Paauilo Reservoir.  The Department of Agriculture expects this to be relatively constant; however, due to continued repair work in the valley and on the system, brief interruptions lasting no more than a few days may occur.  Before these interruptions take place, we will attempt to fill all of the system's reservoirs.

UPDATE:  (as of July 9, 2008)

  • Due to the positive circumstances noted above, the Phase III, Mandatory Water Conservation Measure requiring a 30% reduction in water consumption will be lifted as of the date of this notice.
  • The Honokaa-Paauilo Irrigation System requests all customers to voluntarily conserve and reduce average consumption by 10%.
  • The Department would like to thank all users for their patience since the October 2006 earthquakes and hope the completed repairs, along with improvements undertaken over the past several years, will provde a dependable source of irrigation water to system users.
  • We ask that you bear with us during the final months of earthquake repairs.

Click here to view the notice to water users:
HONOKAA-PAAUILO IRRIGATION SYSTEM NOTICE

 

WAIMEA IRRIGATION SYSTEM

CURRENT WATER LEVEL AS OF 11/25/2009: 49.80 feet (51.6 MG)

ALTHOUGH NO WATER RESTRICTION IS IMPOSED, A CAUTIONARY LOW - VOLUNTARY WATER CONSERVATION - 10% CUTBACK IS RECOMMENDED

  • 11/24/2009:  49.80 feet (51.6 MG)
  • 11/23/2009:  49.80 feet (51.6 MG)
  • 11/20/2009:  49.90 feet (51.6 MG)
  • 11/19/2009:  49.90 feet (51.6 MG)
  • 11/18/2009:  49.90 feet (51.6 MG)
  • 11/17/2009:  49.90 feet (51.6 MG)
  • 11/16/2009:  49.90 feet (51.6 MG)

UPDATE: (as of October 2, 2009)

  • Flumes #2 & #3 (Earthquake) - Demolition and debris removal of the existing wooden flume structure completed.  Temporary by-pass installed and being utilized.  Contractor will proceed with installation of new flume structure when helicopter and weather conditions permit.  Helicopter is on standby so Ernest Alfonso will notify/coordinate any shutdown as soon as possible.
  • Lalamilo Distribution Pipeline Replacement - Notice to Proceed (NTP) issued March 16, 2009.  Construction in progress.  Contractor tested all pipelines, installed all meter boxes, and should have all users on-line by the first week of November.  Contractor anticipates final tie-in tot he new system in mid-November and installation of the DHHL pressure reducing unti by the end of the year.  Anticipated completion date is 270 calendar days from the NTP.
  • Waimea - Deep Well Pump (Eathquake) - The refurbished motor was installed in early July.  During testing, the power tripped, so an electrician analyzed the system.  Recommendations are to replace the transformer, modify the controls, and install a new backspin timer and flow switch to prevent future damage to the pump and motor.  Anticipated completion is early 2010, pending funding.
  • Ditch (Lining) Improvements (Earthquake) - Contractor was able to helicopter in approximately 20% of the concrete bulkheads and pipes and will begin installation after coordinating with our Consultant.  Contractor will fly-in remaining materials and supplies whenever weather conditions/helicopter schedules are favorable.  Inclement weather conditions continue to delay the project (unable to fly helicopter in fog & rain).  Project is not anticipated to be completed until early next year.
  • Consumers of Waimea Irrigation System:

As a result of Sunday’s (October 15, 2006) earthquake, the Waimea Irrigation System had sustained considerable damage to the water intake structures and possibly the ditches and tunnels, which convey irrigation water to the Waimea 60 MG Reservoir for storage.  As a preemptive measure, we have implemented a cautionary 10% voluntary cutback of irrigation water use as reestablishing a consistent flow may take several months. 

This notice is provided to our customers so you may plan for water conservation measures.  Please consider your irrigation requirements for the upcoming months as the declining availability of water will require the implementation of further conservation measures.

Upon notification by the Waimea Irrigation System, the following restrictions will be implemented in phases as the reservoir approaches pre-determined levels.

PHASE I -     Cautionary Low – Mandatory Water Conservation – 10% Cutback

PHASE II -   Mandatory Water Conservation – 20% Cutback  

PHASE III - Critical Low – Mandatory Water Conservation – 30% Cutback

NOTE:    Pursuant to §4-157-4, Conservation Measures and interruption of service, upon declaration of emergency conditions and implementation of mandatory conservation measures, consumers exceeding the level of mandatory cutback will be assessed a surcharge of one-cent ($0.01) per thousand gallons of water consumed in excess of the stated mandatory conservation measure (i.e. 10%, 20% or 30%).  Further, pursuant to §4-157-12, Hawaii Administrative Rules, Discontinuance of service, water service may be refused or discontinued by the department if the water bill has not been paid within thirty days after the mailing or presentation thereof to the consumer.  However, acreage assessments shall continue in spite of the discontinuance of service.

The Department of Agriculture has established this website so you may track the irrigation system’s availability of irrigation water.  The link will provide the daily reservoir level, provide National Weather Service information and staff’s comments on the condition of the irrigation system. 

Please contact us, toll free, at 974-4140, extension 3-9473, if you have any questions.