Water Restrictions: Honolulu vs Mililani Town
How do water restrictions rules compare between Honolulu, HI and Mililani Town, HI?
Honolulu and Mililani Town have similar restriction levels.
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
Honolulu's Board of Water Supply (BWS) may declare mandatory water-conservation stages restricting outdoor irrigation timing and volume. The Land Use Ordinance also requires permanent irrigation systems for required landscaping on development sites.
View full Honolulu rules →Mililani Town, HI
Honolulu County
Mililani Town irrigation follows Board of Water Supply drought schedules; ROH Sec. 30-2.3 frames the policy and Central Oahu's aquifer is heavily watched.
View full Mililani Town rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Honolulu | Mililani Town |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation authority | Board of Water Supply (BWS) | - |
| Irrigation system required | Yes, for LUO-required landscaping | - |
| Restriction levels | Voluntary to mandatory stages | - |
| Violation penalty | Misdemeanor, daily fines | - |
| Code | - | ROH Sec. 30-2.3 |
| Operator | - | Board of Water Supply |
| Drought stages | - | 1 through 4 |
| Focus | - | Automated irrigation timers |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Honolulu FAQ
Are there currently mandatory outdoor watering restrictions in Honolulu?
Restrictions vary; the BWS may activate mandatory conservation stages during drought. Check the BWS website or call (808) 748-5000 for the current status.
When is outdoor irrigation recommended to avoid waste?
BWS recommends watering before 9 AM or after 5 PM to minimize evaporation. Weather-based irrigation controllers are also encouraged year-round.
Does new construction need a permanent irrigation system?
Yes. ROH § 21-4.70 requires all required landscaping on development sites to have a permanent irrigation system installed.
Mililani Town FAQ
Will Mililani HOAs adjust common-area watering during drought?
Yes. MTA and Mauka associations reprogram irrigation controllers to meet BWS stage requirements, typically watering overnight or on assigned days.
Do Mililani homeowners get a separate drought notice?
BWS communicates via utility inserts, local media, and its website. Homeowners are responsible for adjusting their own controllers during any declared stage.
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