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Department of Water Supply outlines emergency repairs, spares and communication steps after North Kohala well failures
Summary
DWS told the committee that Holualoa (Hala'ula) and Hawi wells have failed at times this summer, prompting essential-use restrictions, water hauling and use of spare pump-and-motor sets. Officials described repair logistics, spare inventory and planned generator/transfer-switch work to improve resilience.
HILO, Hawaii — The Hawaii County Department of Water Supply told the Communication Reports and Council Oversight Committee on Sept. 2 that recent pump and motor failures in the North Kohala water system have left sections of the community on "essential needs only" water restrictions and required emergency repairs, water hauling and temporary flow restrictions.
DWS Manager Chief Engineer Keith Okamoto acknowledged multiple failures in the North Kohala system, saying Holualoa (Hala'ula) well "went down shortly after being activated" and that the department detected bronze shavings consistent with damage to an impeller or similar components. "Early indications, we saw bronze shavings in some of our control buildings," Okamoto said.
DWS said…
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