Safe Drinking Water Branch
Groundwater Protection Program

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Hawai`i's Groundwater Protection Program (GWPP) is a non-regulatory program whose goal is to protect human health and sensitive ecosystems by protecting groundwater resources. It's focus is on water quality assessment, and on developing pollution prevention and protection measures.

For more information on groundwater and what you can do to protect Hawaii’s most important source of drinking water, click on EPA’s Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water website

Groundwater Contamination Maps

The GWPP has issued Groundwater Contamination Maps for the State of Hawai`i since 1989. The maps are based on monitoring data for public drinking water wells and identify locations where groundwater contaminants have been detected and confirmed. The detected levels reported in the maps are below Federal and State drinking water standards established to protect public health. Appropriate public health protection measures are implemented before contaminant levels reach these standards.

• 2002 Groundwater Contamination Maps(378Kb pdf)
  

• 2003 Groundwater Contamination Maps(1.03Mb pdf)
  

• 2004 Groundwater Contamination Maps(635Kb pdf)
  

• 2005 Groundwater Contamination Maps(522Kb pdf)
  

The GWPP and the Clean Water Branch provided technical and financial assistance to the Moanalua Gardens Foundation (MGF) to revise and update the water lessons in MGF’s `Ohi`a Project. MGF is a non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve Hawai`i’s native culture and environment through education. The `Ohi`a Project is an environmental education curricula designed to assist teachers and students in making informed choices for Hawai`i’s island environment.

The `Ohi`a Project Water Lessons incorporate the Department of Education’s current Content and Performance Standards III and include up-to-date information emphasizing groundwater conservation and protection, groundwater pollution and prevention, and groundwater education. The lessons cover the water cycle, the hydrology and geology of Hawai`i, the importance of watersheds and water rights, and other water topics. New student activities include role playing in watershed alliances, measuring rain, desalination, and the re-vegetation of Kaho`olawe.

MGF’s water lessons can be downloaded in PDF format at MGF’s web site under `Ohi`a Project, water lessons at: http://www.mgf-hawaii.com/

The Hawai`i State Department of Health prepared guidelines for golf courses to promote, protect and enhance environmental quality and public health. These recommendations cover measures that can prevent groundwater and surface water pollution, soil contamination, chemical spills, noise and solid waste nuisances, and unsafe exposure to applied chemicals. Under certain conditions, state or county regulations may be applicable to a given activity, and mandatory compliance would be required. However, the intent of these guidelines is to voluntarily foster environmental protection and safety.

• Guidelines Applicable to Golf Courses in Hawai`i, July 2002

Contact Us

Phone:	(808) 586-4258
From Hawaii (toll free):	974-4000, ext. 64258
From Kauai (toll free):	274-3141, ext. 64258
From Maui (toll free):	984-2400, ext. 64258
From Molokai and Lanai (toll free):	(800) 468-4644, ext. 64258
Fax:	(808) 586-4351
E-mail:	sdwb@doh.hawaii.gov
Oahu Safe Drinking Water Branch Environmental Management Division Hawaii State Department of Health 919 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 308 Honolulu, HI 96814-4920

Kauai Safe Drinking Water Branch - Kauai Kauai District Health Office 3040 Umi Street Lihue, Hawaii 96766 Phone: (808) 241-3323 Fax: (808) 241-3566

Maui Safe Drinking Water Branch - Maui Maui District Health Office 54 High Street Wailuku, Hawaii 96793 Phone: (808) 984-8234 Fax: (808) 984-8237

East Hawaii Safe Drinking Water Branch - Hilo Hawaii District Health Office - Hilo 1582 Kamehameha Avenue Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Phone: (808) 933-0401 Fax: (808) 933-0400

West Hawaii Safe Drinking Water Branch - Kona West Hawaii Environmental Health Office Keakealani Building 79-1020 Haukapila Street, Room 110 Kealakekua, Hawaii 96750 Phone: (808) 322-1961 Fax: (808) 322-1511

Last Update: 9 March 2011