Hawaii DWS flushes lines in Kaieie after tap water turns brown
Officials in Hilo are testing water and distributing potable supplies after residents reported discoloration in the Papa'ikou area.
By Bianca Herrera ·
The Hawaii County Department of Water Supply is actively flushing pipes in the Kaieie and Papa'ikou districts following reports of discolored water from household taps.
While recent quality samples from the Papa'ikou system have returned normal results, DWS officials stated there is no current evidence that the water is contaminated. The utility is hauling fresh water to the local tank and investigating the specific cause of the discoloration. A potable water tanker is stationed at the intersection of Mamalahoa Highway and Mill Road, directly across from Kimura General store, for community use.
DWS advises residents to run their cold water taps at the lowest point in their homes for five to ten minutes until the water runs clear. They should avoid using hot water taps to prevent sediment from entering water heaters. If the water does not clear, residents are instructed to wait one to two hours before trying again and to avoid washing light-colored clothing to prevent staining.
If the discoloration persists after these steps, customers should report the issue so crews can flush the water mains in the specific area. DWS will continue to perform additional water quality testing as the investigation proceeds.
Residents can report unresolved discoloration by calling the Water Quality Assurance and Control Branch at (808) 961-8670 or the Hilo Operations Baseyard at (808) 961-8790. After-hours emergencies can be reported to the same Hilo number.
