South Maui residents and businesses can now resume normal water usage after wastewater restrictions were lifted on Friday afternoon. The Maui Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced that properties connected to the County’s wastewater (sewer) system in South Maui, including Sugar Beach, Kīhei, Wailea, and Makena, are no longer required to restrict their water usage. This change comes after a 202,000-gallon wastewater overflow earlier in the week, caused by a mechanical failure at the Kīhei Wastewater Pump Station No. 6. Maui Now reported that the overflow occurred on Thursday at the wastewater pump, prompting the initial restrictions.
The DEM had requested that residents minimize toilet flushing, bathing, laundry, and dishwashing to reduce the strain on the system while crews worked to repair the damage. The restrictions were put in place to prevent further overflows and potential health hazards in the affected areas, which included Kalama Park and the Kihei Fire Station. Although the restrictions have been lifted, repair work at the Kīhei Wastewater Pump Station No. 6 is still ongoing. The public is advised to remain cautious of potential disruptions.
The spill highlighted the importance of maintaining and upgrading critical infrastructure to prevent environmental hazards and minimize disruptions to daily life and local businesses. The wastewater overflow could have negatively affected tourism due to potential beach closures and health concerns for both visitors and residents. According to Hawaii News Now, the spill had potential health impacts, particularly in and around Kalama Park.
The incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between infrastructure maintenance, environmental protection, and the need to support the local economy. Businesses in the service areas are able to resume normal water usage, which helps alleviate potential economic impacts during peak season.
