DWS begins water pipe inventory of customers to comply with lead, copper safety standards

County of Maui Department of Water Supply and its contractors recently began on-site inventory of Maui and Molokaʻi customers’ water service lines at homes, schools and businesses to determine whether the pipe material complies with the latest US Environmental Protection Agency rule regarding lead and copper. 

Although historic sampling has shown lead undetected in DWS water, a 2021 EPA rule on lead and copper requires full water pipe inventory for municipalities. 

Ingesting or being exposed to lead can cause serious health risks, especially in children. Lead can enter drinking water through plumbing material that contains the metal. Information on lead and health risks may be found at https://epa.gov/lead.

Last week DWS and its Maui-based contractors, HDR Engineering and Brown & Caldwell, started inspecting water service line materials to take inventory of both the public and private sides of properties, categorizing lines as Lead, Non-lead, Galvanized Requiring Replacement, or Lead Status Unknown, as required by the EPA. DWS asks customers to secure animals inside or away from the water meter and remove any items blocking access to the water meter. 

On-site inventory at homes, schools and business include the following:

• A crew from DWS, HDR or Brown & Caldwell may come onto your property to open your 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 approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
• There is no cost or charge for on-site work to identify service lines.

If lead or galvanized piping is found, DWS will notify the customer and provide information about replacement options. If the service line is owned by DWS, there is no replacement cost to the customer. If it is found on the customer portion, DWS will offer advice on resources for replacement. 

Initial inventory reporting is due to EPA in October, and certain findings will be posted on the DWS website this fall. Inventory inspections will continue through 2025. DWS will provide periodic updates via website and mail. 

For information on the water pipe inventory, visit the DWS lead and copper page at https://mauicounty.gov/544/Lead-Copper or call its engineering line at 808-270-7835.