Captain Cook, HI Water Safety: 73/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
EPA compliance records for Captain Cook tell a largely clear story: violation rates are low, health-based exceedances are uncommon, and the city's grade puts it well above average within HI.
How Captain Cook Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Captain Cook Water
- Homes built before 1986: 54% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.35 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Captain Cook
2 independent water providers serve Captain Cook, HI — 2 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Captain Cook, Hawaii, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 7,975 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Captain Cook — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Captain Cook: B (73/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Captain Cook water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Captain Cook
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96704 | B | South Kona | 6,512 |
All ZIP Codes in Captain Cook
- 96704 [B]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Health Outcomes in Captain Cook
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Housing & Infrastructure in Captain Cook
With 54% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Because the majority of Captain Cook's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1985 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Captain Cook were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Captain Cook Homeowners
Because property values in Captain Cook comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Captain Cook are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$2,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 19% below the Hawaii average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Captain Cook
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 54% pre-rule share in Captain Cook keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Captain Cook
Within the NFIP's national dataset, Captain Cook falls in moderate-exposure territory — 6 documented incidents spanning multiple decades, with 100% of local ZIP codes sitting inside FEMA flood boundaries. That combination warrants inclusion in any thorough local water quality review.
Captain Cook has a moderate flood history with 6 FEMA claims averaging $31,924 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,800</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Captain Cook, HI