Low levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been found in the Kulaʻimano Well A, which supplies water to the Pepeʻekeo area on the island of Hawaiʻi. The well is part of Public Water System HI0000106, managed by the Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply.
The detected PFAS compound, Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS), was measured at concentrations between 2.6 and 3.0 nanograms per liter (ng/L). These levels are below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for PFOS, which is set at 4.0 ng/L.
According to health officials, these findings do not present a significant risk to public health. “The detections of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS), which is one of the regulated PFAS, are below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) and are unlikely to pose a public health risk,” stated the press release.
Testing confirmed PFAS presence with samples collected on August 18 and September 23, 2025. The Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply notified the Hawaiʻi Department of Health about the initial detection via email on October 8, 2025.
PFAS chemicals have been used since the 1940s in products such as carpets, clothing, furniture fabrics, food packaging materials like paper wraps for food, cookware designed to be waterproof or nonstick, fire-fighting foam, and various industrial applications.
Further information about PFAS can be found at https://www.epa.gov/pfas or https://health.hawaii.gov/pfas.
This announcement follows Hawaii Revised Statutes §340E-24(b), which requires notification when contaminants are detected in underground drinking water sources or any public water supply.
