About this list
- Agency
- Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) - State Laboratories Division, Drinking Water Certification Program; Safe Drinking Water Branch
- Format
- PDF x2: chemistry/radiochemistry matrix (analyte x lab, methods, certification dates) + microbiology table (methods, expiry)
- Homeowner flag
- Not stated in the lists. DOH's index to the lists is written for people "planning to have your drinking water tested" and says to "always confirm the laboratory's current certification status with them before submitting any water samples". DOH's Rainwater Catchment page names one lab for homeowners: "AECOS Laboratory, Inc. is currently the only lab approved by DOH, and is participating in this program" (subsidized lead and copper testing for homes on rainwater catchment).
Hawaii DOH State Laboratories Division - Certified Chemistry & Radiochemistry Drinking Water Labs. Fetched 2026-11-15 (UTC).
Official sourceTesting your well in Hawaii
How often to test
- Hawaii's Department of Health says there are no regulations controlling water quality in private wells serving individual homes and no requirements for regular testing. It refers owners to EPA's advice: test each year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates and any other contaminants of concern in your area, more often if you suspect a problem. EPA also suggests considering pesticides, organic chemicals and heavy metals before first use. [1]
Free testing
We found no statewide free testing program in Hawaii. Ask your county health department whether it runs one.
Testing programs and help
- For rainwater catchment used in the home, DOH recommends a screening test for E. coli, turbidity, lead and copper by a lab certified or approved by DOH, with the sample taken after all treatment, such as at the kitchen tap. [2]
- Rainwater catchment homes: the DOH Safe Drinking Water Branch subsidizes a lead and copper test once a year for the owner or user of a legal dwelling served by a rainwater catchment system. The owner pays shipping and $25 for the analysis; DOH is billed the rest. AECOS Laboratory, Inc. is currently the only participating lab. This program covers catchment systems, not wells. [2]
State lab and rules
- DOH advises well owners to use a lab certified or approved for the specific drinking water tests, ask for EPA-approved methods, and compare results with federal and state drinking water limits. Its directory of certified or approved labs is on the Safe Drinking Water Branch site; DOH notes the list covers only contaminants regulated in public water systems. [1]
- DOH's Environmental Health Analytical Services Branch certifies Hawaii labs for drinking water chemistry and microbiology, by analyte or test, for one year at a time. [3]
Show the numbers
| Item | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | 0 counties | |
| Zone 2 | 0 counties | |
| Zone 3 | 5 counties |
Radon in indoor air, not in water. EPA: Zone 1 = highest potential (average indoor radon may be above 4 pCi/L); Zone 2 = 2 to 4; Zone 3 = below 2. EPA says the map should not be used to decide whether an individual home needs testing. Source: U.S. EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county list (EPA 402/A-16/001, spreadsheet Sep 2025), accessed 2026-11-01.
- Hawaii Department of Health, Safe Drinking Water Branch, Private Water Wells (rev. Oct 21, 2024)
- Hawaii Department of Health, Safe Drinking Water Branch, Rainwater Catchment (last update Jul 23, 2026)
- Hawaii Department of Health, Public Health & Environmental Laboratories, Drinking Water Certification Program
- U.S. EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county list (EPA 402/A-16/001, spreadsheet Sep 2025)
Loan test (FHA, VA, USDA) in Hawaii
- VA. Test results are valid for 90 days from the date the local health authority certifies them, unless the local authority says otherwise. VA’s chapter names no list of contaminants: the water must meet the local health authority’s requirements, or EPA guidelines where it has none. Your lender may ask for specific tests.
- FHA. A well test is required in the situations FHA’s handbook lists, among others, and the report may not be more than 180 days old at disbursement.
- USDA. Guaranteed loans need a water quality test for a private well, done by the local health authority or a state-certified lab, and no more than 180 days old at closing.
Lenders can ask for more (extra tests, a particular lab, who takes the sample): ask your lender before you book. Federal rules as read on Nov 3, 2026 source 1 source 2 source 3. Full comparison: VA, FHA and USDA well water test requirements. Loan test kits sold by mail, with price and days to results: kits compared.
What Hawaii labs say on their own websites
State lists say what a lab is certified for, not whether it takes your sample or what it costs. We read each lab’s own site; a second reader re-checked every fact below. 4 labs on this list are on our register so far; 0 say they take homeowner samples and 0 print a price.
Prices exactly as each lab prints them, read 15 Nov 2026; re-checked every 90 days. Labs not shown have not been read yet or print nothing for homeowners. Confirm price and turnaround with the lab.
Labs by contaminant
Labs on the Hawaii list for one test, with homeowner-accepting labs first.
Well water by county
Private-well population (USGS, 2015), arsenic estimate, radon zone and nearby labs for each county with at least 1,000 people on private wells, largest first.