Waianae, HI Water Safety: 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Safe water is the norm across most of Waianae, HI — but documented violations push the city to the middle safety tier.
How Waianae Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Waianae Water
- Homes built before 1986: 66% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,300 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.63.
Who Supplies Your Water in Waianae
Multiple utilities divide Waianae, HI's water service — 2 leading providers among 2 on the federal register.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Waianae, Hawaii (population ~49,879), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 218,129 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Waianae — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Waianae: C (55/100)
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
Waianae water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Waianae
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96792 | C | Waipahu-ewa-waianae | 217,479 |
All ZIP Codes in Waianae
- 96792 [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.
Health Outcomes in Waianae
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Waianae
With 66% 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
Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in Waianae — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1972 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Waianae 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Waianae Homeowners
Across Waianae, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in Waianae are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,500–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 24% below the Hawaii average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Waianae
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.
Despite citywide averages serving as the standard public reference point, those aggregates cannot resolve what is happening at one specific faucet — and where 66% of Waianae homes come from before the solder rule or where utility samples sit at or above the action mark, the gap between system data and faucet reality matters more than it does in lower-exposure communities. An in-home draw closes that gap, with certified filtration through retailer networks available where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Waianae
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Waianae shows 231 claims and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.
Waianae has a moderate flood history with 231 FEMA claims averaging $22,672 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>$2,300</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 Waianae
- 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 66% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Waianae, HI