WaterVerge

Is Haena-Wainiha, HI Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A+ with no contaminants above EPA limits. Here's everything we tested and how Haena-Wainiha ranks. What to do next ↓

833 residents served 1 water system PWSID: HI0000415
Overall Score
96.9 / 100
Violations
None active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#13 of 66 in Hawaii Top 1% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
96.9/100
waterverge.com
A+ 96.9/100

Haena-Wainiha, HI — Water Quality Report

Haena-Wainiha's drinking water received a grade of A+ (96.9 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 833 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

The system has 2 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Haena-Wainiha's water

Haena-Wainiha ranks #13 out of 66 cities in Hawaii for water quality, placing it above average in the state.

Haena-Wainiha relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.

As a small community water system, Haena-Wainiha may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
96.9 out of 100 Grade A+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
44.9/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
10/10
A
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Haena-Wainiha, HI water safe to drink?

Generally Safe

Based on EPA testing data, Haena-Wainiha's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A+ (96.9/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 833 residents using groundwater (wells).

None
Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)

Recent water quality updates for Haena-Wainiha

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Haena-Wainiha's water quality assessment. Grade: A+ (96.9/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Haena-Wainiha's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Haena-Wainiha's water system has 2 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.

MR
Most recent violations:
Jan 2013 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jan 2000 Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U Resolved

Where does Haena-Wainiha's water come from?

Haena-Wainiha's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 833 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Right Branch Lawai Stream Nr Umauma Rd, Kauai (river), Weoweopilau Stream At Highway 50 Bridge, Kauai (river), Waiahi Str Us Upper Powerhouse, Kauai (river), Sf Wailua River Nr Lihue, Kauai (river), Nf Wailua Riv Abv N Wailua Ditch Int, Kauai (river).

What Haena-Wainiha residents can do

Request your utility's CCR

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

2
Total violations
0
Health-based
0
Active / unresolved
Jan 2013
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

2 Total
0 Active
0 Health-based
2 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
1
Radionuclides and Revised Rad Rule
1
Jan 2013 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jan 2013
Jan 2000 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2003

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 5.0 ppb from 2010 (5.0 ppb) to 2023 (0.0 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Haena-Wainiha compares by contaminant

Explore where Haena-Wainiha ranks among all Hawaii cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
833
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Haena-Wainiha's water comes from

Groundwater

Haena-Wainiha's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.

Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.

Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 833 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Haena-Wainiha

Haena-Wainiha is located near 5 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Right Branch Lawai Stream Nr Umauma Rd, Kauai
river
Weoweopilau Stream At Highway 50 Bridge, Kauai
river
Waiahi Str Us Upper Powerhouse, Kauai
river
Sf Wailua River Nr Lihue, Kauai
river
Nf Wailua Riv Abv N Wailua Ditch Int, Kauai
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Haena-Wainiha

System Name PWSID Population Source
HAENA-WAINIHA HI0000415 833 GW
Regional Comparison

How Haena-Wainiha compares

Full Hawaii rankings →

Haena-Wainiha's score of 96.9/100 is on par with the average of 92/100 among major Hawaii cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Haena-Wainiha (this city)
96.9
Wailuku
91.4
Hawaii avg
92
City Profile

About Haena-Wainiha, HI

Wikipedia →

Līhuʻe is an unincorporated community, census-designated place (CDP) and the county seat of Kauaʻi County, Hawaii, United States. Līhuʻe is the second-largest town on the Hawaiian island of Kauaʻi, following Kapaʻa. As of the 2010 census, the CDP had a population of 6,455, up from 5,694 at the 2000 census.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Haena-Wainiha, HI tap water safe to drink?

Haena-Wainiha's water quality earned a grade of A+ (96.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #13 out of 66 cities tested in Hawaii.

What contaminants are in Haena-Wainiha's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 2 violations are on record.

How is Haena-Wainiha's water quality grade calculated?

The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.

Do I need a water filter in Haena-Wainiha?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Haena-Wainiha's water come from?

Haena-Wainiha's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 833 residents.

Is Haena-Wainiha's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Haena-Wainiha uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 2 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.

How does Haena-Wainiha's water compare to other cities?

Haena-Wainiha ranks #13 out of 66 cities in Hawaii (better than 80% of state cities) and #131 out of 15744 cities nationally (99th percentile). The grade of A+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Haena-Wainiha's small water system affect quality?

Haena-Wainiha's system serves approximately 833 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 2 violations on record.