In compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the State of Hawaii’s Department of Health (DOH), Safe Drinking Water Branch (SDWB), with recommendations from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began  sample testing for both Upper Kula and the Lahaina water systems began Monday, August 14, 2023.

Members of the State of Hawaii’s Department of Health, Safe Drinking Water Branch, arrived to provide volatile organic compounds (VOC) sample collection training for lab personnel and assist in the sample collection process for both the Upper Kula and Lahaina Water systems. Results from samples taken today will be available late Thursday, August 17, 2023. High priority samples were taken at Kula Hospital, Kula Elementary School, and all sources supplying the Upper Kula and Lahaina Water systems.

Due to the nature of VOCs, a stagnation period of up to 72 hours is recommended, additional testing will be required in order to declare a system is safe from contamination.