Department of Water Supply

Wellhead Protection

Protect Your Drinking Water… Protect the Source!

Did you know that what you do in and around your home or business can affect the quality of your water? The Department of Water Supply initiated the Wellhead Protection Program to protect the wells that supply drinking water to our community. Find out more about wellhead protection and learn about how you can help protect your water supply!

The source of your local drinking water

The value of safe drinking water:
We are dependent on our ground water - 70 % of our community relies on ground water for drinking water needs. It is very costly, if even possible, to clean if it becomes contaminated. There are several economic benefits of source protection to a community: We can avoid costly treatment systems to treat contaminated drinking water. Installing treatment at one of our West Maui wells cost $1.7 million. We can avoid the cost of well replacement due to contamination and remediation costs required to remove a source of contamination. Businesses can achieve better chemical management and thereby reduce their liability.

Potential threats to your local drinking water:
Land uses that are considered potential contaminant sources are those facilities that typically use, produce, or store contaminants, which, if managed improperly, could find their way to a drinking water source. Contaminants such as pathogens, oils, and toxic chemical compounds can reach your water supply through direct discharges above and below the land surface and through storm water leachate and runoff. Drinking water wells can become contaminated by common activities, such as pouring motor oil and household chemicals down drains, using too much pesticides and fertilizers, and littering streets with refuse that will eventually run off into rivers and streams.
What areas recharge our wells?
The land areas that could contribute water and pollutants to the water supply are delineated or mapped. Click on the map to see the delineated wellhead protection areas, or WHPAs. Within the WHPAs, significant potential sources of contamination are identified. If pollutants are spilled or discharged on the surface, they could filter through the soil to the ground water and be drawn into a particular well.
How can I help prevent pollution?
By changing some simple practices around your home, every resident can help protect ground water from pollution. To find Best Management Practices for your home, farm or business, click below

Best Management Practices

Residential Farm Business - Industry

Wellhead Protection Areas:

Central West Maui

Upcountry East Maui

Click on the blue areas to see maps

SOURCE WATER - WELLHEAD PROTECTION PROJECT:
WELLHEAD PROTECTION PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Advisory Committee has worked with the Department since November 2001 to develop a wellhead protection strategy for Maui County. The Department has held four committee meetings and a Best Management Practice workshop. A preliminary protection strategy and ordinance have been drafted for Maui. The next step is forming advisory committees for the islands of Molokai and Lanai. Anyone interested in participating in or receiving information about this program should contact the Water Resources and Planning Division at 244-8550.

Wellhead Protection Program Links:

Click here to read the November 26, 2002 meeting minutes

Take a look at the Draft Wellhead Protection Ordinance for the County of Maui in PDF format, 2.2 MB