CITY REPORT HI

Kekaha, HI Water Safety: 77/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03

Although water quality varies across any metro, Kekaha's systems collectively post above-average compliance scores for HI — and documented violations are few.

How Kekaha Compares

Kekaha77/100
Hawaii avg79/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
1
Water Systems
0
ZIPs with Violations
B · 77
Avg Safety Score
Zone 3
Radon Risk (Low)
$517K
Median Home Value
$1,200
Est. Remediation (0.2% of home value)

Key Facts for Kekaha Residents

  • Homes built before 1986: 64% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 11.45.

Kekaha's Water Providers

One utility dominates residential water service in Kekaha, HI — out of 1 system in federal records.

Kekaha-waimea
Serves ~5,998 people
77
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Kekaha, Hawaii (population ~3,552), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 5,998 people region-wide.

No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Kekaha — an excellent indicator of water quality.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Kekaha: B (77/100)

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

Kekaha water systems draw from: Groundwater.

Lead & Copper

  • Lead data: not yet available for Kekaha
  • 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
96752 B Kekaha-waimea 5,998

All ZIP Codes in Kekaha

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Kekaha Community Health Snapshot

10%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
12%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
14.6%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 10% ↑
Diabetes 12% ↑
Mental Health 14.6% ↓

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Kekaha Infrastructure Age

1988
Median Build Year
64%
Built Before 1986
20%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 64% 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

Federal plumbing rules changed in two stages — lead pipes were phased out before 1970, and lead solder was banned in 1986 — but in Kekaha, where the median build year is 1988, most of the housing was already in place before those rules took effect. The materials installed under older standards remain embedded in a substantial portion of the residential inventory today.

1988
Median Year Built
64%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
20%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (20%) 1970–1986 (44%) Post-1986 (36%)

Over half of homes in Kekaha 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.

How Remediation Costs Compare in Kekaha

Property equity in Kekaha 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.

Median Home Value
$516,800
Est. Remediation
$1,200
Remediation as % of home value 0.2%

Remediation costs in Kekaha are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 29% below the Hawaii average.

Kekaha: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

64%
Homes Built Before 1986

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.

Reading the local data together points toward a structural gap that matters more here than in low-exposure communities. 64% of Kekaha stock comes from the pre-rule era, and citywide monitoring either approaches or sits beyond the federal benchmark under Lead and Copper Rule sampling. A baseline kit fits the routine-diligence category, with certified filtration available via retailer networks where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Kekaha: Flood History & Water Damage Risk

Although Kekaha's flood history doesn't reach high-severity thresholds, NFIP data documents 72 claims and FEMA maps place 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones — a combined profile that makes flood-related water quality considerations a reasonable planning baseline.

72
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$13,965
Avg Claim Payout
100%
ZIPs in FEMA Flood Zones
~4
Est. Claims/Year

Kekaha has a moderate flood history with 72 FEMA claims averaging $13,965 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>$1,200</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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Kekaha, HI?
Kekaha has an average water safety score of 77/100 (Grade B). No EPA violations on record. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How does Kekaha compare to Hawaii average?
Kekaha has an average water safety score of 77/100, which is below the Hawaii state average of 79/100.
How many water systems serve Kekaha?
Kekaha is served by 1 public water system across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 3,552 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Kekaha?
Estimated remediation costs in Kekaha average $1,200 per household, ranging from $800 to $1,800. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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