Haiku, HI: Lead Above EPA Limits — 70/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Tap water in Haiku, HI scores well — low violation counts, above-average safety grade.
How Haiku Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Haiku Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0185 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 44% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,840 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.58.
Water Systems Serving Haiku
Federal records list 5 water systems tied to Haiku, HI. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Haiku, Hawaii (population ~11,452), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 104,559 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Haiku — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Haiku: B (70/100)
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
Haiku water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0185 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 ZIP code 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96708 | B | West Kuiaha Meadows | 60 |
All ZIP Codes in Haiku
- 96708 [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.
CDC Health Data for Haiku
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
How Old Is Haiku's Housing Stock?
With 44% 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
When trying to understand water quality at the household level, the year a home was built often matters more than any city-wide water report. That's because the 1986 federal ban on lead solder in plumbing, and the earlier phase-out of lead pipes before 1970, created sharp discontinuities in residential plumbing risk by construction era. Haiku's median build year of 1981 puts the city in the transition zone: a substantial share of the housing stock postdates the solder ban, but a comparable fraction predates it — with the oldest homes carrying both the solder risk and the pipe risk simultaneously. Whether any individual household sits on the safer or riskier side of these thresholds is the key question, and it's one the city-wide median alone can't answer.
Most homes in Haiku were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Haiku: Remediation Cost in Perspective
What does remediation cost in financial context for Haiku homeowners? Proportionally very little — the equity share here is low, and addressing documented issues is a manageable planning question rather than a material financial burden.
Remediation costs in Haiku are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,560–$5,320 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 42% above the Hawaii average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Haiku
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.
Locally in Haiku, 44% of housing comes from before the solder rule, and citywide monitoring has crossed the federal action mark. That joint signal keeps in-home tests and certified filtration at a household-level priority, particularly where small kids are present.
<strong>1 ZIP code</strong> (100% of the city) exceeds the EPA lead action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Haiku
100% of ZIP codes in Haiku are mapped into FEMA-designated flood zones, and the NFIP records 9 claims reflecting a multi-event flood history. That combination places local flood exposure in the range where water-quality implications deserve at least periodic attention.
Haiku has a moderate flood history with 9 FEMA claims averaging $692 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>$3,840</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 Haiku, HI