Kailua
Kailua, HI water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Kailua, HI is a small but growing city, with a population near 38,635 and the 5th-largest community in Hawaii. Like much of Hawaii, Kailua draws its water primarily from volcanic aquifers and rainfall catchment.
Kailua's water outlook is shaped most by groundwater depletion — the issue that dominates planning across Hawaii. Island aquifers are the primary supply and are sensitive to both over-pumping and contamination, as the Red Hill fuel crisis underscored.
Kailua sits in a state that reuses roughly 12% of treated wastewater (developing programs) and currently experiences no meaningful drought.
For the bigger picture, see the Hawaii state water profile and the related issues below.
At a glance
- Population ~38,635 (5th-largest in Hawaii)
- Primary sources: volcanic aquifers and rainfall catchment
- Drought: no meaningful conditions
- State reuse rate: ~12% of wastewater
Common questions
Is tap water safe in Kailua?
Kailua is served by community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Statewide, 6% of Hawaii's systems have a recent health-based violation. Check your provider's annual Consumer Confidence Report for local results.
Where does Kailua get its water?
Kailua draws from the same regional sources that serve Hawaii: volcanic aquifers, rainfall catchment.
Related water issues
Groundwater Depletion
Aquifers from the Central Valley to the Ogallala are being pumped faster than they recharge, causing land subsidence and threatening long-term supply.
ExploreSaltwater Intrusion
As coastal aquifers are over-pumped and seas rise, saltwater pushes inland and contaminates freshwater supplies for cities from Florida to California.
ExplorePotable Reuse
Advanced purification turns treated wastewater into water that meets or exceeds drinking-water standards — increasingly essential in water-stressed regions.
Explore