Kauai County, Hawaii — public water systems

How does Kauai County compare with other Hawaii counties?

Kauai County has the 4th-most active public water systems among the 5 counties listed for active Hawaii systems in EPA records; among the 4 with 3 or more systems, the median has 39. Its systems report 79,166 people served in total, the 4th-largest county figure in the state and 5.2% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 4,167 people, about 63% below the Hawaii average of 11,181. Population figures are what each system reports; people served by more than one system, such as a wholesaler and the town that buys from it, are counted by each.

Where does Kauai County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Kauai County's active systems draw on groundwater (17, 89%), surface water (1, 5.3%) and purchased groundwater (1, 5.3%). Overall, 95% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 5.3% on surface water, compared with 93% and 7.4% across Hawaii. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Lihue-Kapaa, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Kauai County?

Kauai County's active systems break down as 16 community systems (84%), 2 non-transient non-community systems (11%) and 1 transient non-community systems (5.3%). A community water system serves at least 15 connections used by year-round residents, or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents. Homes, apartments and mobile-home parks are served by these. A non-transient non-community water system regularly serves at least 25 of the same people for more than six months a year, but not where they live. Schools, factories, office buildings and hospitals with their own supply are typical examples. A transient non-community water system serves places where people do not stay long, such as gas stations and campgrounds, and regularly serves at least 25 people a day for at least 60 days a year. EPA lists their owner types as local government (47%), private (32%), state government (16%) and federal government (5.3%).