Kaaawa, HI Water Safety: 60/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Drilling into federal monitoring figures for Kaaawa in HI, the pattern is middle-of-the-road — some utilities have documented MCL exceedances or treatment technique violations in recent years, while others have operated without a single flag, making the city's grade a genuine average rather than a rounded-down high.
How Kaaawa Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Kaaawa Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 69% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,700 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.63.
Water Systems Serving Kaaawa
Federal records list 1 water system serving Kaaawa, HI. One provider accounts for the large majority of residential water connections in the area, concentrating infrastructure and compliance accountability.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Kaaawa, Hawaii (population ~1,427), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 5,577 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Kaaawa — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Kaaawa: C (60/100)
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
Kaaawa water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Kaaawa
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96730 | C | LAIE WATER COMPANY | 5,577 |
All ZIP Codes in Kaaawa
- 96730 [C]
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 Kaaawa
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 Kaaawa's Housing Stock?
With 69% 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
The median home in Kaaawa was built in 1973 — a figure that places most of the city's residential stock in the era when lead solder was still standard in copper plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered joints; those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line itself.
Over half of homes in Kaaawa 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.
Kaaawa: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The household financial picture for Kaaawa homeowners is proportionally favorable — addressing documented issues claims a small slice of equity, and the cost-to-value ratio puts this area well within the manageable tier.
Remediation costs in Kaaawa are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,100–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 35% above the Hawaii average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Kaaawa
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.
Older interior plumbing shapes the local picture: 69% of Kaaawa homes predate the federal solder ban, and aggregate sampling either approaches or crosses the action benchmark. That mix makes a single-home draw a standard pre-purchase or pre-occupancy step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Kaaawa
How does Kaaawa's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 134 claims — enough to signal recurring events — and 100% of ZIP codes carry FEMA flood zone status. That combination places flooding in the category of factors that can periodically affect water infrastructure, even if the area isn't among the highest-exposure communities in the NFIP dataset.
Kaaawa has a moderate flood history with 134 FEMA claims averaging $7,447 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>$1,700</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.
What You Can Do in Kaaawa
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 69% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Kaaawa, HI