UPCOUNTRY MAUI (HawaiiNewsNow) - Drought conditions have forced Maui County to utilize its backup water supply to serve its Upcountry residents.

The County of Maui’s Department of Water Supply (DWS) will introduce a backup supply to the Upcountry water system that serves Upper and Lower Kula, Makawao, Pukalani, Hāliʻimaile and Haʻikū on September 5.

DWS said the lack of adequate surface water flow into Piʻiholo reservoir, along with drier than average temperatures and inadequate forecasted rainfall led to the decision to utilize the Hamakuapoko Wells 1 and 2.

The U.S. Drought Monitor shows experts that a majority of Maui is under moderate and severe drought. The National Weather Service is predicting below normal precipitation throughout September for all of the Hawaiian islands.

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