Tap water in Honolulu, HI scores well - low violation counts, above-average safety grade.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19

Water Quality in Honolulu

We track water quality and home safety data for 41 ZIP codes in Honolulu, Hawaii (population ~415,471), covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 947,522 people region-wide.

No EPA violations have been recorded across any ZIP codes in Honolulu - an excellent indicator of water quality.

Average Home Safety Score: A (85/100)

Water sources: Groundwater.

Lead Risk

• 75% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 8% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 1973
• Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 55/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 23%
• 9 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 75% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Honolulu residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.

Housing Age Distribution

181,191 total housing units across 41 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Honolulu:

• 1,127 flood insurance claims on record
• $35,931,544 total paid out
• $31,882 average claim payout
• Dominant FEMA flood zone: X (Low risk)
• 9 of 41 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 41 ZIP codes

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

Areas Needing Attention

What Honolulu Residents Can Do

Test Your Water

• Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
• Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
• Check your ZIP code - each area in Honolulu has different water systems and risk levels

Filter Your Water

• NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
• NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
• Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)

Stay Informed

• Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
• Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
• Review the annual water quality report from your local utility

All ZIP Codes in Honolulu

• 96801 [A]
• 96802 [A]
• 96803 [A]
• 96804 [A]
• 96805 [A]
• 96806 [A]
• 96807 [A]
• 96808 [A]
• 96809 [A]
• 96810 [A]
• 96811 [A]
• 96812 [A]
• 96813 [B]
• 96814 [A]
• 96815 [B]
• 96816 [B]
• 96817 [B]
• 96818 [A]
• 96819 [B]
• 96820 [A]
• 96821 [B]
• 96822 [B]
• 96823 [A]
• 96824 [A]
• 96825 [B]
• 96826 [B]
• 96828 [A]
• 96830 [A]
• 96836 [A]
• 96837 [A]
• 96838 [A]
• 96839 [A]
• 96840 [A]
• 96841 [A]
• 96843 [A]
• 96844 [A]
• 96846 [A]
• 96847 [A]
• 96848 [A]
• 96849 [A]
• 96850 [A]

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Honolulu, HI?

Honolulu has an average Home Safety Score of 85/100 (grade A) across 41 ZIP codes. No EPA violations have been recorded. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.

Is Honolulu at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 1,127 flood insurance claims in Honolulu ZIP codes, with an average payout of $31,882. 9 of 41 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).

Are there lead pipes in Honolulu homes?

75% of Honolulu housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 8% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 23%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

Data Sources

• Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
• Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
• Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
• Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
• Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
• Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Updated daily.

Housing Age Profile

Congress banned lead solder in residential plumbing in 1986, drawing a clear line in housing risk by era. Honolulu's median build year of 1973 puts most of its residential stock on the newer side of that boundary - a profile that generally correlates with lower plumbing-sourced lead exposure across the city.

1973

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Honolulu 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.

Honolulu: Flood History & Water Damage Risk

0% of ZIP codes in Honolulu are mapped into FEMA-designated flood zones, and the NFIP records 1127 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.

1,127

Total FEMA Flood Claims

~56

Est. Claims/Year

Honolulu has a moderate flood history with 1,127 FEMA claims. 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.

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.