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2020 Groundwater Status Reports
December 2020 Groundwater Levels Status Report
There was one aquifer index station in low groundwater condition for the production month of December 2020. Punaluu is in Caution status. The monthly production average for December 2020 was 130.82 million gallons per day, which is slightly above the 5-year monthly average. Most monitoring stations are exhibiting slightly declining water level trends.
The Board of Water Supply (BWS) rainfall index for the month of December 2020 was 58 percent of normal, with a 5-month moving average of 53 percent. As of January 5, 2021, the Hawaii Drought Monitor shows abnormally dry conditions in the coastal areas of Waimanalo and Honolulu through Central Oahu and portions of the North Shore; and moderate drought conditions on the leeward coast from Ewa Beach to Makaha. The National Weather Service is forecasting La Nina conditions continuing through the spring months, with potential above-normal rainfall through June 2021.
As reported at the October 26th Board Meeting, BWS initiated a voluntary conservation notice of 10 percent for Windward and East Honolulu, due to declining water levels coupled with unusually hot weather and low rainfall conditions for the previous 7 months. We recognize that many customers continue to use water wisely and reduce water waste; we commend them for their efforts. Due to only one station currently being in caution status (Punaluu), we intend to lift the voluntary conservation notice at the end of January.
November 2020 Groundwater Levels Status Report
As reported at the October 26th Board Meeting, BWS initiated a voluntary conservation notice of 10% for Windward and East Honolulu due to declining water levels coupled with unusually hot weather and low rainfall conditions for the previous 7 months.
Presently, there are two aquifer index stations in low groundwater condition. Kaimuki is in Alert condition, while Punaluu is in Caution condition. The monthly production average for November 2020 was 130.14 million gallons per day, which is slightly less than the 5-year monthly average. Most monitoring stations are exhibiting fairly stable water level trends.
The Board of Water Supply rainfall index for the month of November was 79 percent of normal, with a 5-month moving average of 60 percent. As of December 1, 2020, the Hawaii Drought Monitor shows abnormally dry conditions across roughly the southwestern half of Oahu, with moderate drought conditions on the Ewa Plain and the eastern end of Oahu. The National Weather Service is forecasting La Nina conditions continuing through the winter months, with potential above-normal rainfall through June 2021.
We recognize that many customers continue to use water wisely and reduce water waste; we commend them for their efforts. We are asking all our customers to lower their water use where possible through the end of the year.
October 2020 Groundwater Levels Status Report
As reported at the October 26th Board Meeting, the Board of Water Supply (BWS) initiated a voluntary conservation notice of 10 percent for Windward and East Honolulu, due to declining water levels coupled with unusually hot weather and low rainfall conditions for the previous 7 months.
Presently, there are two aquifer index stations in low groundwater condition. Punaluu and Kaimuki are in Alert low groundwater condition. The monthly production average for October 2020 was 138.72 million gallons per day, which is very similar to the 5-year monthly average. Most monitoring stations are exhibiting stabilizing water level trends.
The BWS rainfall index for the month of October was 48 percent of normal, with a 5-month moving average of 57 percent. As of November 3, 2020, the Hawaii Drought Monitor shows moderate drought conditions across Oahu, with severe drought conditions on the leeward coast stretching from Ewa Beach to Makaha. The National Weather Service is forecasting La Nina conditions, with potential above-normal rainfall through April.
We recognize that many customers continue to use water wisely and reduce water waste; we commend them for their efforts. We are asking all our customers to lower their water use where possible through the end of the year.
September 2020 Groundwater Levels Status Report
BWS has initiated a voluntary conservation notice of 10% for Windward and East Honolulu due to declining water levels coupled with unusually hot weather and low rainfall conditions for the last 7 months, April through October.
There were three aquifer index stations in low groundwater condition. Punaluu and Kaimuki are in Alert, and Waihee Tunnel is in Critical low groundwater condition. The monthly production average for September 2020 was 153.10 million gallons per day, which is about 8 mgd above the 5-year monthly average. Most monitoring stations are exhibiting decreasing water level trends.
The Board of Water Supply rainfall index for the month of September 2020 was 38 percent of normal, with a 5-month moving average of 58 percent. As of October 6, 2020, the Hawaii Drought Monitor shows abnormally dry conditions for the windward side of Oahu, moderate drought conditions on the leeward side of Oahu, and severe drought conditions on the leeward coast stretching from Ewa Beach to Makaha. The National Weather Service is predicting below average rainfall for October 2020 and has updated their wet season forecast confirming previous forecasts that a La Nina condition exists with expectations for above normal rainfall this winter.
The BWS Communications Office, with the help of the Water Conservation Branch, have sent letters requesting voluntary conservation to state and city agencies, military installations, large water users, and the neighborhood boards. Recommendations include:
- Limit lawn and landscape irrigation to twice a week, before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. when evaporation is lower;
- Postponing installation of new landscaping (which require constant irrigation);
- Postponing car washes and refilling of swimming pools;
- Checking and fixing dripping faucets and running toilets;
- Check for and repair property leaks, especially on irrigation systems.
In addition, a news release was sent to all TV, radio, and social media outlets. The release resulted in several interviews and a newspaper article discussing the drought and conservation.
We recognize that many customers are already doing their best to use water wisely and reduce water waste; we commend them for their efforts. We are asking all our customers to lower their water use where possible through the end of the year.
August 2020 Groundwater Levels Status Report
There were three aquifer index stations within low groundwater status for the production month of August 2020. Punaluu and Waihee Tunnel are in Caution status. Kaimuki is in Alert status. The monthly production average for August 2020 was 148.48 million gallons per day (MGD). The Board of Water Supply rainfall index for the month of August 2020 was 41 percent of normal, with a 5-month moving average of 57 percent. As of September 8, 2020, the Hawaii Drought Monitor shows abnormally dry conditions for Oahu, with moderate drought conditions on the Leeward side of Oahu stretching from Pearl Harbor to Haleiwa to the Leeward coast. The National Weather Service is predicting below average rainfall for September and October 2020. Most monitoring wells are exhibiting decreasing trends, likely due to increased pumping during the summer dry season. Production for August 2020 was slightly lower compared to the previous year.
July 2020 Groundwater Levels Status Report
There were two aquifer index wells within low groundwater status for the production month of July 2020. Kaimuki and Punaluu are in Caution status. The monthly production average for July 2020 was 145.20 million gallons per day (MGD).
The Board of Water Supply rainfall index for the month of July 2020 was 92 percent of normal, with a 5-month moving average of 77 percent. As of August 4, 2020, the Hawaii Drought Monitor shows abnormally dry conditions for most of leeward Oahu from Honolulu to Makaha to Haleiwa, with moderate drought conditions in the Ewa, Waipahu, and Kapolei areas. The National Weather Service is predicting below average rainfall from August 2020 through the fall months.
Most monitoring wells are exhibiting static to slightly decreasing trends, likely due to increased pumping during the summer dry season. Production for July 2020 was slightly higher compared to the previous year.
June 2020 Groundwater Levels Status Report
There were two aquifer index wells within low groundwater status for the production month of June 2020. Punaluu is under a Caution status. Kaimuki is in Alert Status. The monthly production average for June 2020 was 148.13 million gallons per day (MGD).
The Board of Water Supply rainfall index for the month of June 2020 was 68 percent of normal, with a 5-month move average of 72 percent. As of July 7, 2020, the Hawaii Drought Monitor shows abnormally dry conditions for all of Oahu, with moderate drought conditions for leward Oahu. The National Weather Service describes Hawaii as being in a dry season and is predicting below-normal precipitation through September 2020.
Most monitoring wells are exhibiting decreasing trends, likely due to increased pumping during the summer dry season.
May 2020 Groundwater Levels Status Report
There were two aquifer index wells within low groundwater status for the production month of May 2020. Punaluu and Waialua are under a Caution status. The monthly production average for May 2020 was 140.04 million gallons per day.
The Board of Water Supply rainfall index for the month of May 2020 was 49 percent of normal, with a 5-month move average of 96 percent. As of June 2, 2020, the Hawaii Drought Monitor shows abnormally dry conditions for most of Oahu, with moderate drought conditions along the coastal regions from Ewa Beach to Makaha. The National Weather Service describes Hawaii as entering a dry season and is predicting below-normal precipitation through August 2020.
Most monitoring wells are exhibiting decreasing trends, likely due to increased pumping during the summer dry season. Production for May 2020 was slightly higher compared to the previous year.
April 2020 Groundwater Levels Status Report
There were two aquifer index wells within low groundwater status for the production month of April 2020. Punaluu and Waialua are under a Caution status. The monthly production average for April 2020 was 126.14 million gallons per day (MGD).
The Board of Water Supply rainfall index for the month of April 2020 was 35 percent of normal, with a 5-month moving average of 110 percent. As of May 5, 2020, the Hawaii Drought Monitor shows no dry conditions for the island of Oahu. The National Weather Service describes Hawaii as entering a dry season and is predicting below-normal precipitation through July 2020.
Most monitoring wells are exhibiting increasing trends, likely due to decreased pumping because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Production for April 2020 was 8 MGD lower compared to the 5-year monthly average of 134 MGD for April, a reduction of about 6 percent.
March 2020 Groundwater Levels Status Report
There were no aquifer index wells within low groundwater status for the production month of March 2020. The monthly production average for March 2020 was 124.22 million gallons per day.
The Board of Water Supply rainfall index for the month of March 2020 was 139 percent of normal, with a 5-month moving average of 111 percent. As of April 7, 2020, the Hawaii Drought Monitor shows no dry conditions for the island of Oahu.
Most monitoring wells are exhibiting increasing trends, likely due to decreased pumping because of increased rainfall and decreased water usage during the last few weeks of th COVID-19 pandemic. Production for March 2020 was 8 MGD lower compared to the 5-month moving average of 132 MGD for March, a reduction of about 6 percent.
February 2020 Groundwater Levels Status Report
There are two aquifer index well within low groundwater status for the production month of February 2020. Punaluu and Waialua are under a Caution status. A revised geodetic benchmark elevation survey was completed in January 2020 which decreased head level measureents in Punaluu and Waialua. The benchmark decrease in Waialue was large enough to place Waialua in Caution Status with no significant change in pumping levels in adjacent wells. The decrease in head level measurements in Punaluu is also attributable to lower than normal rainfall in Windward Oahu. The monthly production average for February 2020 was 127.82 million gallons per day.
The Board of Water Supply rainfall index for the month of February 2020 was 68 percent of normal, with a 5-month moving average of 103 percent. As of March 3, 2020, the Hawaii Drought Monitor shows no dry conditions for the island of Oahu. The National Weather Service is predicting above-normal precipitation for March 2020, and forecasts above-normal rainfall through May 2020.
January 2020 Groundwater Levels Status Report
There is one aquifer index well within low groundwater status for the production month of January 2020. Punaluu is under a Caution status. The monthly production average for January 2020 was 126.92 million gallons per day.
The Board of Water Supply rainfall index for the month of January 2020 was 117 percent of normal, with a 5-month moving average of 92 percent. As of February 4, 2020, the Hawaii Drought Monitor shows no dry conditions for the island of Oahu. The National Weather Service is predicting above normal precipitation for February, and forecasts above-normal rainfall through June 2020 due to persistent elevated sea surface temperatures predicted by most climate change models.
Most monitoring wells continue to exhibit stable trends. Production for January 2020 was down compared to previous years.
Updated: 12/14/2020