Water Infrastructure Repair and Recovery

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CCTV camera on four wheels next to a manhole cover. There is a cone and a man in the background.
CCTV Camera in Use | Click Image to Enlarge​

The August 8, 2023, Maui Wildfires significantly impacted the Lahaina drinking water and wastewater systems and the Upper Kula drinking water system. EPA is supporting response and recovery efforts led by the County of Maui and Hawaii Department of Health, and together, we are focused on stabilizing wastewater and drinking water utilities.

EPA deployed Water Emergency Team (WET) members to provide on-the-ground guidance and technical assistance for stormwater, wastewater, and drinking water for the County of Maui. EPA continues to actively support the County’s Departments of Public Works, Environmental Management, and Water Supply.

Wahikuli Subdivision Sewer Design Project

News Release

EPA has started work on the Wahikuli Subdivision sewer design project, north of Lahaina Town, Maui. EPA’s Wahikuli Sewer Design Team will participate in the "Weekly Disaster Recovery Community Update Meeting" on September 25, 2024, to provide an overview of the project to the community and key stakeholders and explain how the public can provide input.

EPA’s Wahikuli Sewer Design Team will also conduct an onsite visit of the Wahikuli Subdivision on September 26, 2024. Residents of Wahikuli and surrounding areas should be aware that EPA personnel and contractors will be present in the neighborhood during this period.

This initiative comes in response to a request from the County of Maui on January 13, 2024, for FEMA technical assistance. Through a FEMA Mission Assignment, EPA was asked to provide support with planning and designing a proposed gravity sewer system for the Wahikuli subdivision, which comprises approximately 230 properties currently serviced by individual wastewater systems, including cesspools and septic systems.

The scope of work for this project includes:

  • Conducting an environmental review, including cultural and biological consultations, and seeking public input on the proposed project.
  • Drafting pre-construction design, with public input opportunities, and engineering plans to 100% completion following the environmental review.
  • Holding regular meetings with the County of Maui and providing periodic public updates via the weekly County of Maui Disaster Recovery Community Update Meeting throughout the project period.

Drinking Water Sampling

Worker in high visibility vest crouching next to a drinking water access panel taking a water sample.
EPA sampling drinking water lateral in Lahaina | Click Image to Enlarge

The wildfires caused widespread pressure loss to water infrastructure. This created a potential pathway for contaminants such as bacteria, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) to be drawn into distribution and service pipes.

EPA helped the County of Maui restore drinking water service to Lahaina residents in two ways: first, by sampling main distribution lines at hydrants to ensure they are clear of contaminants, then by sampling lateral lines at meter boxes and isolating any laterals that are contaminated or too damaged from the fire to sample. See below for more information on both steps.

Hydrant Sampling

Water samples being taken from a spigot that has been added to a fire hydrant.
Drinking Water Sampling | Click Image to Enlarge

EPA first sampled the distribution main lines to ensure the safety of the broader water distribution system from bacteria and other germs, as well as wildfire contamination.

EPA sampled the main lines at fire hydrants in the impacted area for both chlorine residual and coliform bacteria. The Lahaina drinking water system uses chlorine disinfection to protect against bacteria and other germs. EPA sampling found evidence of chlorine residuals, which indicates the drinking water system disinfection remained effective in delivering potable water. In addition, samples to check for the presence of bacteria and other disease-causing organisms came back negative (clear).
The hydrants were also tested for the following wildfire contaminants:

  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  • Semi-volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs)

EPA shared sampling results with the County of Maui, which informed their response actions and amendments to the unsafe water advisories in Lahaina.

Lateral Line Sampling and Isolation

EPA also supported the County of Maui and the Hawai’i Department of Health by evaluating and sampling the lateral lines of all burned structures. Lateral lines run perpendicular to the distribution main line and bring water from the main line to the meter. If contaminants were detected in a lateral line, or the line had been damaged too much by the fire to sample, it was isolated from the rest of the system to prevent further contamination and marked for replacement.

In addition to EPA’s work, the County of Maui and the Hawai’i Department of Health continue to conduct routine monitoring of the drinking water system in Lahaina. The County of Maui uses all available data to inform their decisions to issue Unsafe Water Advisories (UWA), and to amend these advisories when water is potable and ready for use. Residents can track UWA areas, where to access safe drinking water, status updates, and more at the County of Maui’s website, mauirecovers.org, or by calling the county directly at (808) 270-7550.

Sewer Line Inspections

Workers inspecting sewer lines on Maui
Crew Members Clearing a Sewer System | Click Image to Enlarge

On March 11, 2024, EPA completed its Mission Assignment from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to clear and inspect 97,749 linear feet of sewer lines in Lahaina. The information collected will help the County of Maui prioritize emergency repairs to damaged sewer pipes to prevent excess infiltration of salt water that the wastewater treatment plant is not designed to process.

To carry out the mission, EPA teams first used jet-propelled water to clear debris and blockages in the sewer lines and then collected the debris and water from the line using a vacuum truck. Next, a special camera was fed down the sewer lines to inspect for damage and other issues. The work EPA conducted also helped prevent sewer overflows and assisted the county in determining which areas still had functioning sewers for reentry.

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Last updated on September 23, 2024