Water service lines of Maui and Molokai homes, schools and businesses will be inventoried to determine whether pipe materials comply with the latest U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule regarding lead and copper, announced Maui County’s Department of Water Supply.

What You Need To Know

  • Historic samplings have not detected lead in DWS water but a 2021 EPA rule on lead and copper requires full water pipe inventory

  • A crew from DWS, HDR or Brown & Caldwell may enter customers' property to access the water meter box and inspect outside water pipes but will not enter homes or businesses

  • The 20- to 30-minute inspection will not interrupt water service

  • If lead or galvanized piping is found, DWS will notify the customer

The DWS and its Maui-based contractors, HDR Engineering and Brown & Caldwell, have begun inspecting water service line materials and taking inventory of public and private sides of properties. As required by the EPA, lines are categorized as Lead, Non-lead, Galvanized Requiring Replacement or Lead Status Unknown.

Historic samplings have not detected lead in DWS water but a 2021 EPA rule on lead and copper requires full water pipe inventory.

Exposure to lead or ingesting it can cause serious health risks, especially in children.

Lead can enter drinking water through plumbing material that contains the metal, according to a DWS news release. Visit the EPA’s website for information on lead and health risks.

DWS asks customers to secure animals inside the home or away from the water meter and to remove items blocking access to the water meter.

Information for inventories of homes, schools and businesses:

  • A crew from DWS, HDR or Brown & Caldwell may enter customers' property to access the water meter box and inspect outside water pipes
  • Crew members will not ask to enter your home or business
  • Initial service line inspections will not interrupt water service
  • Inspections should take about 20 to 30 minutes
  • There is no cost or charge for work to identify service lines

If lead or galvanized piping is found, DWS will notify the customer. If the service line is owned by DWS, there will be no replacement cost for the customer. If lead or galvanized piping is found on the customer portion, DWS will provide information on replacement options.

The initial inventory is due to the EPA in October, but inspections will continue through 2025, according to DWS. Periodic updates will be provided.

People can visit the DWS lead and copper page or call the engineering line at 808-270-7835 for information on the water pipe inventory process.