The Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply (DWS) is asking customers to limit water use to essential needs following Hurricane Lala, which caused widespread power outages and disrupted normal water system operations across the island.

In a reminder issued Aug. 16, DWS said customers should use water only for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene until further notice. The storm has affected the department’s ability to operate normally and caused no-water or low-pressure conditions in some locations.

The conservation request is intended to preserve water stored in DWS reservoirs while crews work to restore normal operations. The storm caused extensive damage across Hawaiʻi, including widespread power outages, flooding and infrastructure damage. More than 100,000 customers remained without power in the state after Lala passed, complicating recovery efforts.

The impacts also have prompted other water-related precautions on Hawaiʻi Island. DWS issued a precautionary boil-water advisory for Pāhala on Aug. 17 following storm impacts, requiring residents to take additional precautions with drinking and cooking water.

The department is asking customers to continue conserving water until further notice as power and water infrastructure recover.