WaterVerge

Is Ualapue, HI Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

1K residents served 1 water system PWSID: HI0000233
Overall Score
94.3 / 100
Violations
1 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#21 of 66 in Hawaii Top 4% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
94.3/100
waterverge.com
A 94.3/100

Ualapue, HI — Water Quality Report

Ualapue's drinking water received a grade of A (94.3 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,119 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 1.0 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 9 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.

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

What to know about Ualapue's water

Ualapue ranks #21 out of 66 cities in Hawaii for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

Ualapue 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, Ualapue may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
94.3 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
44.3/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Ualapue, HI water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Ualapue's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (94.3/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,119 residents using groundwater (wells).

1
Active Violations
1.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
9 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Ualapue

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Ualapue's water quality assessment. Grade: A (94.3/100).

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND LANDSLIDES

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4604). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
HURRICANE DOUGLAS

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3529). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
7 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Benzo(a)pyrene, Diquat, 2,3,7,8-TCDD.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (Pre-TCR).

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Ualapue's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Ualapue's water system has 9 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved.

MROther
Most recent violations:
Jan 2008 Benzo(a)pyrene Resolved
Jan 2008 Diquat Resolved
Jan 2008 2,3,7,8-TCDD Resolved
Jan 2008 Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate Resolved
Jan 2008 Endothall Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Maui County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1968. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Wailuku River At Kepaniwai Park, Maui, Wailuku River At Iao Valley Road, Maui, S Waiehu Str Us Of Ditch At Alt. 315 Ft, Maui, Waihee Rv Abv Waihee Dtch Intk Nr Waihee, Maui, Kahakuloa Stream Near Honokohau, Maui.

SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND LANDSLIDES
Flood FEMA DR-4604
HURRICANE DOUGLAS
Hurricane FEMA DR-3529
HURRICANE LANE
Hurricane FEMA DR-4395

Where does Ualapue's water come from?

Ualapue's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,119 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Wailuku River At Kepaniwai Park, Maui (river), Wailuku River At Iao Valley Road, Maui (river), S Waiehu Str Us Of Ditch At Alt. 315 Ft, Maui (river), Waihee Rv Abv Waihee Dtch Intk Nr Waihee, Maui (river), Kahakuloa Stream Near Honokohau, Maui (river).

What Ualapue 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.

Monitor alerts during storms

Ualapue's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.

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
1.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 7% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

9
Total violations
0
Health-based
1
Active / unresolved
Jan 2008
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

9 Total
1 Active
0 Health-based
8 Resolved
Violations by category
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
6
Inorganic Chemicals
1
Total Coliform Rule
1
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2008 Resolved
Benzo(a)pyrene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jan 2008 Resolved
Diquat
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jan 2008 Resolved
2,3,7,8-TCDD
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jan 2008 Resolved
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jan 2008 Resolved
Endothall
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jan 2008 Resolved
CYANIDE
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jan 2008 Resolved
Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jul 1987 Resolved
Coliform (Pre-TCR)
Other Violation Resolved Jul 1987
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

9
Declared disasters
May 2021
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Maui County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1968. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

May 2021
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND LANDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #4604
Jul 2020
HURRICANE DOUGLAS
Hurricane FEMA #3529
Sep 2018
HURRICANE LANE
Hurricane FEMA #4395
Sep 2018
TROPICAL STORM OLIVIA
Hurricane FEMA #3404
Aug 2018
HURRICANE LANE
Hurricane FEMA #3399
Sep 1992
HURRICANE INIKI
Hurricane FEMA #961

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.0 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 20.0 ppb from 1993 (21.0 ppb) to 2020 (1.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,119
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Ualapue's water comes from

Groundwater

Ualapue'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 1,119 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Ualapue

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

Wailuku River At Kepaniwai Park, Maui
river
Wailuku River At Iao Valley Road, Maui
river
S Waiehu Str Us Of Ditch At Alt. 315 Ft, Maui
river
Waihee Rv Abv Waihee Dtch Intk Nr Waihee, Maui
river
Kahakuloa Stream Near Honokohau, Maui
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Ualapue

System Name PWSID Population Source
UALAPUE HI0000233 1,119 GW
Regional Comparison

How Ualapue compares

Full Hawaii rankings →

Ualapue's score of 94.3/100 is on par with the average of 92/100 among major Hawaii cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.

Ualapue (this city)
94.3
Wailuku
91.4
Hawaii avg
92
City Profile

About Ualapue, HI

Wikipedia →

Wailuku is a census-designated place (CDP) in and county seat of Maui Island, Maui County, Hawaii, United States. The population was 17,697 at the 2020 census.

Economic Profile
$54,457
Median Income
$287,555
Median Home Value
$1,972/mo
Median Rent
0%
Unemployment
Community
42.3
Median Age
59
People / sq mi
32.2%
College Educated
73%
Homeownership
Share this reportHelp others learn about their water quality
WhatsAppXFacebookLinkedInEmail

Frequently asked questions

Is Ualapue, HI tap water safe to drink?

Ualapue's water quality earned a grade of A (94.3/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #21 out of 66 cities tested in Hawaii.

What contaminants are in Ualapue's water?

Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 9 violations are on record.

How is Ualapue'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 Ualapue?

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

Where does Ualapue's water come from?

Ualapue's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,119 residents.

Is Ualapue's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Ualapue 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 9 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 Ualapue's water compare to other cities?

Ualapue ranks #21 out of 66 cities in Hawaii (better than 68% of state cities) and #548 out of 15744 cities nationally (97th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Ualapue's small water system affect quality?

Ualapue's system serves approximately 1,119 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 9 violations on record.