PFAS in Drinking Water in Hawaii
What residents of Hawaii need to know about PFAS ("forever chemicals") in drinking water — including contamination sources, which utilities have documented violations, and how to filter PFAS from tap water.
Source: EPA SDWIS, Hawaii Department of Health, CDC · Last reviewed: 2025-01-01
Quick Answer
Is PFAS in drinking water a real concern in Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaii has significant PFAS contamination from military installations on Oahu. Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Marine Corps Base Hawaii (Kaneohe Bay) have documented AFFF-related PFAS contamination in groundwater. A high-profile 2021 fuel spill at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility also brought military contamination of Pearl Harbor water supplies into sharp focus, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities.
Where does PFAS come from in Hawaii?
Military installations on Oahu are the dominant PFAS source in Hawaii. AFFF firefighting foam used at Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Kaneohe Bay has contaminated underlying basalt aquifers. The Red Hill fuel leak of 2021, while primarily a petroleum contamination event, amplified public awareness of military contamination risks to Hawaii's sole-source aquifer systems.
What should Hawaii residents know?
Hawaii's island aquifer systems have no alternative water sources — once contaminated, remediation is extremely difficult and costly. Oahu's drinking water depends heavily on the Pearl Harbor aquifer and other basal lens aquifers. PFAS contamination from military sources near Pearl Harbor threatens these sole-source water supplies. Hawaii DOH has dramatically expanded PFAS testing following the Red Hill incident.
Key Facts
| EPA MCL (PFOA/PFOS) | 4 ppt — effective April 2024 |
| MCLG | Zero |
| Primary contamination sources | Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Marine Corps Base Hawaii (AFFF-related) |
| Critical vulnerability | Island sole-source basal aquifers — no alternative water grid if contaminated |
| Context event | 2021 Red Hill fuel leak contaminated Pearl Harbor water supply for ~93,000 residents |
| State regulator | Hawaii Department of Health — Water Supply Division |
| Health effects | Cancer (kidney, testicular), thyroid disruption, immune suppression, developmental effects |
| Effective treatment | Reverse osmosis (NSF/ANSI 58) — critical given no alternative water sources |
Why PFAS Matters in Hawaii
Hawaii's geographic isolation makes groundwater contamination especially serious — there is no interconnected regional water grid to draw on if a source is compromised. PFAS from AFFF at Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Marine Corps Base Hawaii has been detected in monitoring wells, and some Oahu community water systems have reported PFAS detections. The 2021 Red Hill fuel leak that contaminated drinking water for approximately 93,000 military-connected and civilian Oahu residents demonstrated the vulnerability of Hawaii's basal aquifer systems to military facility contamination. Hawaii DOH has significantly increased its scrutiny of military impacts on drinking water.
Hawaii PFAS Regulation
Hawaii DOH has conducted PFAS investigations at Pearl Harbor Naval Station, Hickam AFB (now Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam), Marine Corps Base Hawaii, and other military installations that dominate Hawaii's land use. The 2021 Red Hill fuel storage facility leak — a separate but related military contamination event — raised state awareness of military environmental risks. Hawaii follows the federal MCL with no additional state standard.
Largest Hawaii Water Utilities
No PFAS violations on record in EPA SDWIS for Hawaii utilities in our database. Browse the largest utilities to review their full water quality record.
What Are PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”)?
PFAS are a family of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals used in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging, and AFFF firefighting foam. Their carbon-fluorine bonds do not break down in the environment or the body — hence the name “forever chemicals.” AFFF used at military bases is the single largest source of PFAS in U.S. drinking water.
Full PFAS overview — national data, health effects, all 50 statesWho Should Pay Closest Attention
Oahu residents served by water systems drawing from the Pearl Harbor aquifer system face the greatest PFAS exposure risk. Military families and civilian employees on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and their surrounding communities should monitor available PFAS data from their water providers.
Residents near military bases with AFFF use history
Private well owners near military or industrial sites
Pregnant residents and families with young children
Residents in communities with documented PFAS detections
Anyone who has consumed water above 4 ppt for an extended period
Residents near airports, fire training areas, or industrial manufacturers
How to Check Your Situation in Hawaii
- 1
Identify your water utility using the ZIP lookup below or by browsing the Hawaii utility directory on this site.
- 2
Review your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — it must report PFAS monitoring results under UCMR5 and the new MCL.
- 3
Check the EPA's ECHO database for your utility's monitoring history. Look for PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, and related compound results.
- 4
Contact your utility directly and ask for their most recent PFAS test results and whether they are implementing treatment under the 2024 MCL.
- 5
If you use a private well near a military base, airport, or industrial facility, order a PFAS panel test from a state-certified laboratory. Tests typically cost $150–$400.
- 6
If PFAS is detected above 4 ppt in your source water, install a certified NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis system or an NSF/ANSI 53-certified activated carbon filter rated for PFAS removal.
How to Remove PFAS from Tap Water
Reverse Osmosis (Best)
90–99% removal — NSF/ANSI 58 certified systems only
Certified Activated Carbon
Effective with NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification — verify before buying
Boiling concentrates PFAS. Standard pitcher filters and water softeners do not remove PFAS. Always verify NSF certification before purchasing.
Take Action Now
Look up your Hawaii utility's PFAS monitoring history on the PFAS Watchlist below.
If your utility has detected PFAS above 4 ppt, install an NSF/ANSI 58-certified reverse osmosis system at your drinking tap.
Private well owners near military or industrial sites should order a PFAS panel test ($150–$400 at a state-certified lab).
Request your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report — PFAS results must be disclosed under the new 2024 MCL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
PFAS — National Overview
All U.S. utilities with PFAS records
Hawaii PFAS Watchlist
Live utility PFAS monitoring data
Hawaii State Overview
All utilities and water quality data
Reverse Osmosis Guide
Removes 90–99% of PFAS
Activated Carbon Filter Guide
NSF/ANSI 53/58 certified options for PFAS
Arsenic in Drinking Water
Another priority contaminant
All Contaminants
Complete reference library
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
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Hawaii Department of Health ↗