A
98

Excellent Water Quality

Honolulu, HI 96818

Honolulu County · Population served: 631,389 · Data updated March 2026

Water Systems Serving This Area

🌊
HNL-WINDWARD-PEARL HARBOR
Groundwater · Pop. 631,389
PWSID: HI0000331

PFAS / Forever Chemicals

1 detected All below limits
CompoundLevelEPA MCLHealth GuidelineStatus
PFHxS3.0 ppt10 ppt10 pptBelow limit

Water Quality Summary

Understanding Your Water in Honolulu

Tap water quality in Honolulu, Hawaii (96818) receives an overall grade of A (Excellent) with a score of 98 out of 100, based on analysis of EPA compliance data, contaminant testing, and violation history. This is roughly in line with the Hawaii state average of 95. Compared to the national average (75), this area performs significantly better. The area is served by Hnl-Windward-Pearl Harbor, a groundwater system providing water to approximately 631,389 people. PFAS testing detected 1 compound, all currently below EPA limits. The area has a clean violation record over the past 5 years — a positive indicator of consistent water quality management.

Your Score 98/100 A
vs State 3 pts above Hawaii avg (95)
vs National 23 pts above national avg (75)

What a Grade A Means

A score of 98/100 means the water supply in Honolulu, HI meets or exceeds all EPA standards with minimal issues. Contaminant levels are well within safe limits, and the water system has maintained a strong compliance record. While no water supply is guaranteed perfect at the tap due to household plumbing, this is among the best-scoring areas in the country.

Groundwater: drawn from underground aquifers via wells

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on EPA data, tap water in Honolulu, Hawaii receives a grade of A (Excellent) with a score of 98/100. This indicates the water meets federal standards and has relatively few concerns. However, individual homes may still have localized issues such as lead from old plumbing.

ZIP code 96818 is served by 1 water system using groundwater sources, providing water to approximately 631,389 people. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, often requiring less treatment. However, it can be vulnerable to contamination from underground sources like naturally occurring arsenic, nitrates from agriculture, or PFAS from industrial sites.

No lead data is currently available for ZIP code 96818. This may mean lead testing results haven't been reported recently, or the serving water system uses monitoring waivers. You can request a free lead test kit from most water utilities or purchase a certified home testing kit.

1 PFAS compound were detected in water serving Honolulu, Hawaii, but all are currently below EPA limits. While levels are within regulatory standards, some health organizations recommend minimizing any PFAS exposure. Activated carbon or reverse osmosis filters can reduce PFAS levels.

Water systems serving Honolulu, Hawaii have zero violations in the last 5 years. This is a positive indicator of consistent regulatory compliance and water quality management.

Based on detected contaminants (PFAS), residents in Honolulu, Hawaii should consider: Reverse osmosis (RO) system — most effective for PFAS, lead, and other contaminants. Always look for filters with NSF/ANSI certification for the specific contaminants you want to remove.

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