Boil water notice issued for certain customers in Kau

Health officials are advising some customers in the Kau district of Hawaii island to boil their water as a precaution.

The Hawaii Department of Health issued a boil water notice to customers served by Punaluu Water and Sanitation LLC public water system and Wood Valley Water and Farm Co-op Public Water System.

These customers should not drink or use the water from their faucets without boiling it first, officials said.

Punaluu Water and Sanitation serves about 200 part- and full-time customers along Alahaki and Ninole roads in the Punaluu area. Wood Valley Water serves about 100 customers in Wood Valley.

DOH said both water systems sustained heavy damage caused by Hurricane Lala, losing pressure in distribution lines. The precautionary advisories address any water in the distribution system that may have been compromised due to flood water inundation, officials said.

“While water system testing has not been completed due to post-storm conditions, a precautionary notice is being issued because of the damage incurred to the distribution lines,” said DOH in a news release.

DOH advises customers of these two water system to bring all water from their faucets to a boil, and let it boil for three minutes, then let it cool before using it, officials said, or use bottled water.

“Boiled water, bottled water, or water from an alternate source should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, washing hands, making baby formula and food preparation until further notice,” said officials in a statement. “Boiling tap water kills bacteria and other organisms that may be introduced by damage to the water system.”

DOH is assisting the water systems with public notification, and supporting Punaluu Water and Sanitation with requesting bulk supplies of potable water for its customers.