Unsafe Water Advisories issued by the County of Maui Department of Water Supply are still in effect for the following areas:

• Upper Kula 
• Lahaina 

An interactive map is available and depicts the precise location of the Unsafe Water Advisories.

Updates to advisories will be provided based on monitoring results.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that easily evaporate into the air. Examples of common VOCs include benzene, toluene, trichloroethylene (TCE), and perchloroethylene (PCE). VOCs are commonly used in consumer products (e.g., plastics, paints, cleaning products, adhesives) and can be released from building materials (e.g., carpet, linoleum, composite wood products, insulation). They can also be released into the environment in smoke from wildfires, building fires, and the burning of wood, oil, or gas. Review a VOC fact sheet for additional information.

Household products including:

• Paints, paint strippers, varnishes, stains, and other solvents
• Wood preservatives
• Aerosol sprays
• Cleansers and disinfectants
• Moth repellents and air fresheners
• Stored fuels, leaking fuel tanks, and automotive products including motor oil
• Hobby Supplies
• Dry-Cleaning wastes
• Pesticides
• Other products including:
• Building materials and furnishings
• Office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper
• Graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers and photographic solutions.

Yes.

By itself, the reverse osmosis process cannot take out VOCs. The VOCs will pass through the membrane just like oxygen does. Reverse osmosis systems will only take out VOCs, if they have a carbon pre-filter or post-filter. Contact the manufacturer for specific capacities of your system. Keep in mind that filtration systems require regular maintenance/preventative maintenance in order to work properly.

It is difficult to generalize the dangers of waterborne VOCs because there are so many different variations of them. Furthermore, there has not been extensive testing done to determine the health risks posed by many of the household products that release VOCs. But, there is evidence exposure to VOCs has negative side effects. According to the EPA, volatile organic compounds are associated with irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, loss of coordination, and nausea. Prolonged exposure can cause damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Whether or not they are carcinogenic is still contested. Some organics have manifested as cancerous in animals, and there are some that are suspected to cause cancer in human beings.

• Method Detection Limit: refers to a minimum concentration of an analyte that can be measured above the instrument background noise. 
• Reporting Limit: the minimum level above which an analyte can be detected and quantified with statistical confidence.
• Instrument background noise: Instruments have detectors that convert any target analyte entering the detector into an electrical signal that can be measured. Using a calibration curve, this signal can be converted into a concentration. Instrument noise is due to the normal, random generation of electrical signal from sources other than the target analyte. Some causes are radiation, magnetic fields, loose connections or static. They have nothing to do with the specific sample being analyzed.
• MCL: The maximum concentration level or (MCL) is the maximum concentration of a chemical that is allowed in public drinking water systems. The MCL is established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• μg/L: The symbol μg = microgram. One microgram is one millionth of a gram and one thousandth of a milligram. So if the MCL reads 2 μg/L that is 2 micrograms per liter. It is also referred to as parts per billion (ppb). ‍
• ND: not detected.

• The County of Maui Department of Water Supply continues regular consultation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Hawai’i State Department of Health (DOH). In addition, the Department has sought the expert opinions of those that have experienced the devastating effects of wildfires. 
• The Water Quality Laboratory continues to vigorously sample areas of the water system for volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Additional certified personnel have been provided by DOH, to assist in the sampling efforts, increasing the amount and area of samples taken.
• Maui samples have been prioritized, allowing for more samples to be tested at once. 

The decision to lift the advisory will be made based on multiple lines of evidence to include but not limited to:

• Water Quality Sampling/Testing
• Water Hydraulics
• Flushing
• Elevation
• Data Analysis

The Department of Water Supply will:

• Continue to update as evidence suggests;
• Continue water quality sampling/testing;
• Monitor the system once the advisory is lifted through future sampling/testing;
• Release those future test results to the public

Failure to follow this advisory could result in illness. Due to the wildfires, some structures in the water system were either destroyed or damaged. These conditions may have caused harmful contaminants, including volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), to enter the water system. As a precaution, the Hawai'i State Department of Health and the County of Maui Department of Water Supply are advising residents of the affected area as follows:

DO NOT DRINK YOUR TAP WATER

Bottled water or potable water provided by the Department of Water Supply must be used for drinking (including making baby formula and juice), brushing teeth, making ice, and food preparation. 

DO NOT TRY TO TREAT THE WATER YOURSELF 

Boiling, freezing, filtering, adding chlorine or other disinfectants or letting water stand will not make the water safe. If volatile organic compound (VOC) contamination is suspected or detected, boiling water could release VOCs into the air.

Please adhere to the following additional guidance if your home or business is within the Unsafe Water Advisory Areas:

• Do not use tap water for any consumptive purpose, including drinking, cooking, or brushing your teeth. 
• Do not use ice from automatic ice makers. 
• Use cold water to wash clothing or other items. Dry laundry outdoors.
• Take showers instead of baths. 
• Limit shower time. Use lukewarm water and ventilate the area. 
• Use a dishwasher to wash dishes. Turn it to the air dry setting.
• Do not use pools or hot tubs.
• Use proper ventilation when using water indoors.

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For potable water, please bring large water containers, at least 5-gallon capacity, to any of the following locations:

Lahaina:

• Kahoma Village at Front Street entrance
• Lahaina Gateway Shopping Center
• Lahaina Baseyard parking area
• Nahale street
  ‍

Upper Kula:

• Kula Lodge
• Copp Road

The County of Maui Wastewater Reclamation Division is working to:

• Restore Wastewater Pump Station 4 at Mala Wharf in order to provide services to Kahoma Village: and Upper Kapunakea Houselots Subdivision No. 2: Nahale Place, Ipukula Way and Kapunkea Street (mauka of Honoapiilani Highway)
• Restore service to the Lahaina Cannery Mall and commercial sites makai of the property
• Flush and assess other lines within the fire-impacted area
• Repair Wastewater Pump Station 5 and 6 and the associated service areas
• Restore service to Wastewater Pump Station 7 serving the Puamana Area

No; if the Wastewater Service maps show that you do not have functioning sewer service, please DO NOT flush toilets or allow water down any household drain. Although your toilet may flush and water may drain initially, if the service is not functional, you risk eventual sewage backing up in the house.