Lead Service Lines in Hawaii National Park, HI
What you need to know
Hawaii National Park serves about 4,201 people through one water system: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
The good news: there are no confirmed lead service lines in this system's inventory. That means the pipes connecting your home to the main water line are not known to contain lead.
However, "no known lead service lines" is not the same as "zero risk." Your home could still have lead in other places—older fixtures, solder, or brass fittings inside your house. Lead service line data is still being collected and verified across the country, and some older records may be incomplete.
What's a lead service line?
A lead service line is the underground pipe that carries water from the municipal main into your home. Lead pipes were common before the 1980s because lead is easy to work with and was thought to be safe. We now know lead exposure, especially for young children, can affect learning and development.
If your home was built before 1990, there's a higher chance your service line contains lead—even in areas where lead lines are rare.
What should you do?
Contact your water utility to ask:
- When was your home's service line installed?
- What material is it made of?
- Can they test your water at the tap?
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park's water system can answer questions about your specific address and may offer free or low-cost testing.
Test your water at home. Even if your service line is not lead, your indoor plumbing may contain lead. A simple tap water test costs $20–50 and takes a few days. Your utility can refer you to a certified lab.
If you're pregnant or have young children, consider reducing lead exposure while you investigate:
- Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking or cooking
- Use filtered water for drinking and cooking (look for "NSF certified for lead reduction")
- Flush toilets and let faucets run after periods of non-use
If you have health concerns about lead exposure, contact your pediatrician or the CDC.
Next steps for residents
- Call Hawaii Volcanoes National Park water system to request your service line material and ask about testing
- Request a free or low-cost water test from your utility
- If you find lead, ask about replacement programs or financial assistance
- Share results with your pediatrician if children under 6 live in your home