Low Levels of Chemical Substance Detected in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Water System

Posted on Jun 2, 2025 in Newsroom
Map of Water Source, including Rain Catchment, visitor services zone and administration, resources management, and Nahuku Lava Tube
Map of Water Source, including Namakanipaio Campground and Uekahuna

HONOLULU — Low levels of 1-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-benzene (PCBTF) have been detected in a water sample collected from the Volcano Catchment Chlorinator of the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park water system (Public Water System HI0000146, owned by the U.S. Department of the Interior), which serves Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on Hawaiʻi Island.

PCBTF was detected at a concentration of 2.57 micrograms per liter (μg/L) in a sample collected on April 8, 2025. The water system formally notified the Hawaiʻi Department of Health of the PCBTF detection in an email dated May 23, 2025.

PCBTF is an industrial solvent that is currently not regulated in drinking water, meaning there is no established federal or state maximum contaminant level (MCL) or state environmental action level (EAL). While toxicity data for drinking water exposure is limited, current information does not suggest an acute health risk at the level detected. The water system continues to meet all federal and state standards for safe drinking water.

Impacted users may contact the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park water system for more information.

This press release is issued in accordance with Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes §340E-24(b).


# # #

News Release-Low Levels of Chemical Substance Detected in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Water System_05.30.25_v2-kf ee