SOUTH KONA Water System Lead Service Line Inventory
About This Water System
South Kona serves 6,512 people in Hawaii. Like all US water systems, it is required to maintain an inventory of lead service lines—the pipes that connect homes to the main water supply. Lead service lines are a potential source of lead in drinking water, especially in homes built before the 1980s.
Lead Service Line Inventory Status
South Kona has not yet completed a public lead service line inventory. This means the utility either has not finished cataloging its pipes, or the data is not yet available to residents. Federal law requires all water systems to complete and maintain these inventories, though timelines vary by system size and state.
If you're concerned about lead in your home's water, you can still take action now—you don't need to wait for the inventory to be complete.
What You Should Know
Your water source. South Kona draws from groundwater (wells), which typically has lower lead risk than surface water. However, lead contamination is possible anywhere if pipes corrode.
Getting answers. Contact South Kona directly to ask:
- Whether your specific address has a lead service line
- When the full inventory will be available
- What steps the utility is taking to replace lead lines
- Whether the system offers free or subsidized water testing
Testing your water. Even before the inventory is public, you can request a free lead test from your utility, or purchase an inexpensive kit online. The CDC recommends testing if your home was built before 1986 or if you have young children.
Next Steps for Residents
- Contact South Kona to ask if a lead service line serves your home and request a free water test if available
- Get contact information from your latest water bill, or search online for "South Kona water utility"
- If you have young children, consider testing your water now rather than waiting—lead exposure is a health concern for developing brains
- Check the CDC's lead page (cdc.gov/lead) for more on testing, reduction, and health effects
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
Does South Kona have lead in the water?
Lead is not automatically present in South Kona's water, but it can enter through corroded lead service lines. The utility draws from groundwater, which has lower lead risk than surface water. Contact South Kona to ask about your specific address and request a free water test.
How do I know if my house has a lead service line?
Call South Kona and ask for your property address. They should tell you whether a lead line serves your home. You can also hire a plumber to inspect your pipes, or look at the connection point where water enters your home—lead is gray and soft (you can scratch it with a coin).
Is it safe to drink water from a home with a lead service line?
Water quality depends on how corroded the line is and your home's water chemistry. The safest approach is to test your water. If lead is found, use a certified filter, flush the line before drinking, or drink bottled water until the line is replaced.
When will South Kona finish its lead inventory?
The completion date is not yet public. Contact South Kona directly for a timeline. Federal funding is available to help utilities complete inventories and replace lead lines.