Lead Service Lines in LOWER KULA, Hawaii
What you need to know
LOWER KULA serves about 3,500 people in Hawaii and draws its water from surface sources. Like water systems across the US, it may have lead service lines—the pipes that connect the public water main to individual homes. If your home was built before the 1980s, there's a higher chance your service line contains lead.
The good news: lead in drinking water is preventable. The first step is finding out whether your home has a lead service line.
What LOWER KULA has reported
As of now, LOWER KULA has not completed a full inventory of its lead service lines, so there's no public count of how many lead lines exist in the system. This doesn't mean the problem doesn't exist—it means the utility is still working on the assessment required by federal law.
Federal rules require all water systems to locate and inventory lead service lines by 2026. LOWER KULA is part of that timeline.
What you can do right now
Check your home. Contact LOWER KULA directly and ask:
- Does my address have a lead service line on the utility's side (from the main to the curb)?
- What material is my private service line (from the curb to my house)?
The utility may have partial records even if a full inventory isn't published yet.
Get your water tested. If you're concerned about lead exposure—especially if you have young children or are pregnant—ask the utility for a free lead test or contact your county health department. Results take 1–2 weeks.
Reduce exposure in the meantime. Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking or cooking if your home hasn't been used for several hours. Use cold water for baby formula and cooking. Boiling does not remove lead.
Know the risks. Lead exposure has no safe level, especially for children under 6 and pregnant people. If you have health concerns, talk to your doctor or contact the CDC's lead hotline at 1-800-CDC-INFO.
Next steps for residents
- Contact LOWER KULA directly to ask about your service line status
- Request a free lead water test through the utility or local health department
- If you have a known lead service line, discuss replacement options and timelines with LOWER KULA
- Talk to your pediatrician or doctor if you have health concerns about lead exposure
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
Does LOWER KULA have lead in the water?
LOWER KULA has not yet completed its lead service line inventory, so there's no public count of lead pipes in the system. The utility is required to finish this assessment by 2026. Lead in drinking water comes primarily from old service lines, not the water source itself.
How do I know if my house has a lead service line?
Contact LOWER KULA and ask about your address. The utility may have records of the pipe material on the public side (utility's responsibility). For your private side, you can scrape the pipe with a coin or magnet test—lead is soft and non-magnetic—or hire a plumber for confirmation.
Is the water safe to drink right now?
LOWER KULA is required to treat water to reduce lead corrosion and may monitor lead levels. Call the utility for their latest lead and copper test results. If you're concerned, request a free test of your tap water.
What should I do if my child has been drinking this water?
Talk to your pediatrician. They can order a blood lead test if needed. Lead exposure has no safe level, but early detection and removal of the source are effective steps.