Kahului, HI: Lead Above EPA Limits — 68/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Kahului's water quality grade in HI reflects a middle-ground assessment — service areas range from fully compliant to violation-flagged in current EPA records.
How Kahului Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Kahului Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0185 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $3,300 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.58.
Water Systems Serving Kahului
Federal drinking water records identify 4 systems in Kahului, HI. The leading 3 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Kahului, Hawaii (population ~25,889), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 75,237 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Kahului — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Kahului: C (68/100)
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
Kahului 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)
- 2 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 2 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
All ZIP Codes in Kahului
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 Kahului
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
Kahului: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Property equity in Kahului runs well ahead of estimated remediation costs — a cost-to-value ratio that sits in the low tier, meaning documented water and safety issues here are the kind homeowners can plan to address without treating the expense as a significant budget event relative to what their homes are worth.
Remediation costs in Kahului are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,200–$4,550 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 15% above the Hawaii average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Kahului
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.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water — especially if your home was built before 1986.
<strong>2 ZIP codes</strong> (100% of the city) exceed 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 Kahului
Multiple flood events have been recorded for Kahului through the NFIP — 19 claims in total, with 50% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones — pointing to a flood exposure profile that merits inclusion in a water quality assessment without reaching high-severity planning territory.
Kahului has a moderate flood history with 19 FEMA claims averaging $10,951 per payout. 50% 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>$3,300</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 Kahului
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Kahului, HI