NEWS & UPDATES
For Immediate Release
March 25, 2025
Board of Water Supply Confirms Low Level Detection of PFAS
at Hōʻaeʻae Wells Pumping Station
HONOLULU – The Board of Water Supply (BWS) has confirmed the low-level detection of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at its Hōʻaeʻae Wells Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Treatment Facility. The type of PFAS chemicals and the levels detected is shown in the table below. The BWS reported the findings to the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) in accordance with Hawaiʻi State Law.
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Sample date |
11/19/24 |
12/13/24 |
1/24/25 |
2/5/25 |
2/14/25 |
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Location |
Analyte |
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EPA MCL |
DOH EAL |
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Hōʻaeʻae Wells |
Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) |
2.0 |
2.3 |
2.2 |
3.1 |
ND |
None |
1,500 |
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Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) |
ND |
ND |
ND |
2.0 |
2.2 |
None |
1,900 |
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All values in ppt |
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Abbreviations:
ND = not detected
ppt = parts per trillion (ppt)
EPA = U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
MCL = Maximum contaminant Limit
EAL = Environmental Action Limit
BWS detected these chemicals as part of its PFAS testing program. Multiple samples were tested to confirm the finding and improvements in test methods and technology enables the detection of these very low levels. The well station is located in Waipahu on Hōʻaeʻae Street between Honowai and Hiwahiwa Streets and serves water from ʻEwa Beach to Mākaha including Kapolei, Nānākuli, and Waiʻanae.
According to DOH the amount of PFPeA and PFHxA is below the current DOH EAL and does not pose a health concern.
PFAS are fluorinated organic chemicals that have been used extensively in consumer products such as carpets, clothing, fabrics for furniture, paper packaging for food, and other materials (e.g., cookware) designed to be waterproof, stain-resistant or non-stick. They also have been used in fire-retarding foam.
Manager and Chief Engineer Ernest Lau stated, “We take our kuleana to provide safe drinking water to our community seriously and will continue to test for PFAS chemicals and monitor for any changes.”
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About the Board of Water Supply
The Board of Water Supply (BWS), a semi-autonomous agency of the City and County of Honolulu, manages O’ahu’s municipal water resources and distribution system. As the largest water utility in the State, the BWS serves approximately one million customers on O’ahu. The BWS embraces its mission of “Water for Life – Ka Wai Ola”—to provide a safe, dependable, and affordable water supply, now and into the future. Uwē ka lani, ola ka honua – “When the heavens weep, the earth lives.” For more information about the BWS, visit www.boardofwatersupply.com, follow @BWSHonolulu or like the BWS’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/BWSHonolulu.
Contact:
Kathleen Elliott-Pahinui
Information Officer
Honolulu Board of Water Supply
Phone: (808) 748-5319