Pahoa, HI Water Safety: 82/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Although water quality varies across any metro, Pahoa's systems collectively post above-average compliance scores for HI — and documented violations are few.
How Pahoa Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Pahoa Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 37% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.35 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Pahoa
3 water utilities share the residential service territory in Pahoa, HI — out of 4 total systems in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Pahoa, Hawaii, covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 14,225 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Pahoa — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Pahoa: B (82/100)
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
Pahoa water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Pahoa
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96778 | B | Hawaiian Beaches | 3,546 |
All ZIP Codes in Pahoa
- 96778 [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 Pahoa
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 Pahoa's Housing Stock?
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Development in Pahoa unfolded across multiple decades, and the median build year of 1996 reflects a housing inventory where eras of construction are genuinely mixed — including portions that predate the federal prohibition on lead solder in plumbing.
Most homes in Pahoa 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.
Pahoa: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Low proportionality — that's the Pahoa picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Pahoa are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$2,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 67% below the Hawaii average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Pahoa
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, 37% of Pahoa homes carry interior plumbing from the era when lead solder was still permitted in new builds, and citywide monitoring approaches or crosses the EPA action benchmark. Households can find a draw-test kit and certified filtration through verified retailers.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Pahoa
Taken together, Pahoa's 40 NFIP flood insurance claims and 100% FEMA flood zone coverage place it in the moderate range of exposure. That middle position has specific implications for water quality. The contamination pathways that flooding can open — surface water overwhelming treatment facility intake, floodwaters infiltrating private wells, distribution pressure changes creating backflow — are not constant risks in a moderate-exposure community. But they do become active during significant flood events, and the claim record here indicates enough of those events to make flood timing an occasional factor in local water quality conversations.
Pahoa has a moderate flood history with 40 FEMA claims averaging $26,194 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>$1,800</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 Pahoa, HI