Monitoring Issues SCHOOL DISTRICT PFAS DETECTED

PFAS Detected in Hawaii Department of Education (HI)

97 ZIP codes · 62 water systems · 1,311,723 people served

ZipCheckup's reading of EPA drinking-water data for Hawaii Department of Education: 11 unresolved violations in the water systems serving this district.

Data: ZipCheckup Home Safety Score model 4.0.0, EPA SDWIS and UCMR 5, EPA radon zones, EPA AirData, NCES

A · 100
Avg Safety Score (52 ZIP)
97
ZIP Codes
62
Water Systems
22
Violations (5yr) (77 ZIP)
0.0011 mg/L
Avg Lead Level
22
ZIPs with PFAS
Zone 3
Radon Risk (97 ZIP)

Why School Water Quality Matters

Children drink 2–4× more water per pound of body weight than adults, making them more vulnerable to contaminants. School water quality affects students for hours every weekday.

Home Safety and Water Evidence Overview

The Hawaii Department of Education in Hawaii spans 97 ZIP codes. This materialization has canonical Home Safety Scores for 52 ZIP records and typed EPA water violation counts for 77 ZIP records. Missing evidence is not treated as zero.

The deduplicated primary-system served-population sum is 1,311,723 across 34 water systems. This is not the district resident population.

The average Home Safety Score under model 4.0.0 across 52 scored ZIP records is A (100/100)

  • with the lowest-scoring area at 97/100 .

Water quality in this district ranks better than 65% of ZIP codes nationally.

Why This Matters for Children

Children are more vulnerable to water contaminants than adults. The EPA and CDC identify these key risks:

  • Lead exposure - Even low levels of lead can affect brain development, reduce IQ, and cause behavioral problems in children. There is no safe level of lead for children.
  • PFAS ("forever chemicals") - Linked to immune system effects and developmental delays in children. Children drink more water relative to body weight than adults.
  • Nitrate - Dangerous for infants (can cause "blue baby syndrome"). Agricultural areas often have elevated nitrate.
  • Disinfection byproducts - Long-term exposure may increase cancer risk. School water fountains often have stagnant water that concentrates these compounds.

Lead Levels in the District

Metric Value EPA Threshold
Average lead level (90th percentile) 0.0011 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
Highest lead level 0.0107 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
ZIP records exceeding EPA action level 0 of 77 with known status -

PFAS Contamination

PFAS ("forever chemicals") detected in 22 ZIP records in this district. The aggregate does not treat ZIP records without PFAS evidence as tested negatives.

Detected compounds: PFHxS, PFPeA.

Highest measured level: 0.0033 µg/L.

PFAS can accumulate in the body over time. Children's higher water intake relative to body weight makes them particularly susceptible. Reverse osmosis filters (NSF/ANSI 58) are the most effective at removing PFAS.

Learn more about PFAS in drinking water →

EPA Violation History

22 monitoring/reporting violations recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Contaminants of Concern

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 10 No 7
Barium Inorganic 1 No 1
Cadmium Inorganic 1 No 1
Chromium Inorganic 1 No 1
Fluoride Inorganic 1 No 1
Nitrite Inorganic 1 No 1
Contaminant 1036 Other 1 No 1
Contaminant 1045 Other 1 No 1

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low risk)

Water Facts and Home Safety Score by ZIP Code

ZIP Code City Home Safety Score EPA Violations Health Lead Level Exceeds?
96763 Lanai City N/A 11 0 0 mg/L No
96729 Hoolehua A (97) 2 0 0.009345 mg/L No
96757 Kualapuu N/A 2 0 0.009345 mg/L No
96770 Maunaloa N/A 2 0 0.009345 mg/L No
96725 Holualoa A (99) 1 0 0 mg/L No
96740 Kailua Kona A (99) 1 0 0 mg/L No
96743 Kamuela A (100) 1 0 0.01075 mg/L No
96750 Kealakekua A (99) 1 0 0 mg/L No
96782 Pearl City A (99) 1 0 0 mg/L No
96701 Aiea A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96703 Anahola N/A 0 0 0 mg/L No
96704 Captain Cook N/A 0 0 0 mg/L No
96705 Eleele N/A 0 0 0 mg/L No
96706 Ewa Beach A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96707 Kapolei A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96708 Haiku A (100) 0 0 0.00088 mg/L No
96710 Hakalau N/A 0 0 0 mg/L No
96712 Haleiwa A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96714 Hanalei N/A 0 0 0 mg/L No
96717 Hauula A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96719 Hawi A (100) 0 0 0.01075 mg/L No
96720 Hilo A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96722 Princeville N/A 0 0 0 mg/L No
96726 Honaunau A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96727 Honokaa A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96728 Honomu N/A 0 0 0 mg/L No
96731 Kahuku N/A 0 0 0 mg/L No
96732 Kahului A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96734 Kailua A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96738 Waikoloa A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96741 Kalaheo N/A 0 0 0 mg/L No
96744 Kaneohe A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96746 Kapaa N/A 0 0 0 mg/L No
96748 Kaunakakai A (100) 0 0 0.001 mg/L No
96749 Keaau A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96752 Kekaha N/A 0 0 0 mg/L No
96753 Kihei A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96754 Kilauea N/A 0 0 0 mg/L No
96755 Kapaau A (100) 0 0 0.01075 mg/L No
96756 Koloa N/A 0 0 0 mg/L No
96760 Kurtistown A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96761 Lahaina A (100) 0 0 0.00078 mg/L No
96762 Laie A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96765 Lawai N/A 0 0 0 mg/L No
96766 Lihue N/A 0 0 0 mg/L No
96768 Makawao A (100) 0 0 0.0037 mg/L No
96771 Mountain View A (100) 0 0 0.00899 mg/L No
96778 Pahoa A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96779 Paia A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96781 Papaikou N/A 0 0 0 mg/L No
96783 Pepeekeo N/A 0 0 0 mg/L No
96785 Volcano N/A 0 0 0.00899 mg/L No
96786 Wahiawa A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96789 Mililani A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96790 Kula A (100) 0 0 0.0037 mg/L No
96791 Waialua A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96792 Waianae A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96793 Wailuku A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96795 Waimanalo A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96796 Waimea N/A 0 0 0 mg/L No
96797 Waipahu A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96813 Honolulu A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96814 Honolulu A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96815 Honolulu A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96816 Honolulu A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96817 Honolulu A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96818 Honolulu A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96819 Honolulu A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96821 Honolulu A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96822 Honolulu A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96825 Honolulu A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96826 Honolulu A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96848 Honolulu N/A 0 0 0 mg/L No
96857 Schofield Barracks A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96859 Tripler Army Medical Center N/A 0 0 0 mg/L No
96860 J B P H H N/A 0 0 0 mg/L No
96863 M C B H Kaneohe Bay A (100) 0 0 0 mg/L No
96713 Hana N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
96716 Hanapepe N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
96730 Kaaawa N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
96737 Ocean View N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
96742 Kalaupapa N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
96747 Kaumakani N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
96751 Kealia N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
96759 Kunia N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
96764 Laupahoehoe N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
96769 Makaweli N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
96772 Naalehu N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
96773 Ninole N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
96774 Ookala N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
96776 Paauilo N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
96777 Pahala N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
96780 Papaaloa N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
96820 Honolulu N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
96850 Honolulu N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
96853 J B P H H N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
96858 Fort Shafter N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

What Parents Can Do

  1. Request lead testing at your child's school - The EPA's 3Ts program (Training, Testing, Taking Action) provides guidance for schools. Ask your school board about their water testing schedule.
  2. Review the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) - Your water utility publishes this annually. It details all detected contaminants.
  3. Test your home's water - Especially if your home has older plumbing (pre-1986) that may contain lead solder or lead pipes.
  4. Address PFAS - If PFAS are detected in your area, a reverse osmosis or activated carbon block filter rated NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 can reduce levels significantly.
  5. Pack water from home - If you're concerned about school water quality, send your child with a water bottle filled at home (filtered if possible).
  6. Stay informed - Bookmark this page to check for updates on water quality in your school district.

Need help with school water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe in Hawaii Department of Education schools?

EPA system-level records show no health-based violations across 77 ZIP records with known health counts in the past 5 years. No lead action-level exceedance is recorded among 77 ZIP records with known status. This does not establish safety at an individual school tap; request current building-level testing results.

Does Hawaii Department of Education test for lead in school water?

Federal law does not require schools to test for lead in drinking water (except in some states with specific mandates). The EPA's voluntary 3Ts program encourages testing. Contact your school district office to ask about their testing schedule and results.

What level of lead is safe for children?

There is no safe level of lead for children, according to the CDC. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb) triggers corrective action for water systems, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that school water contain no more than 0.001 mg/L (1 ppb).

Are there PFAS in Hawaii Department of Education water?

Yes, PFAS have been detected in 22 ZIP records associated with this district. ZIP records without PFAS evidence are not counted as tested negatives. PFAS are "forever chemicals" that do not break down and can accumulate in the body. The EPA has set maximum contaminant levels for certain PFAS compounds.

Data Sources

Updated daily.

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How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (n.d.). PFAS Detected in Hawaii Department of Education (HI). https://zipcheckup.com/schools/hawaii-department-of-education-hi/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-schools-hawaii-department-of-education-hi,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{PFAS Detected in Hawaii Department of Education (HI)}},
  year   = {n.d.},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/schools/hawaii-department-of-education-hi/}
}
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