Palolo Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
1.6 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
66.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.07
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
0–60
mg/L
Soft
61–120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121–180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Palolo, your appliances are currently losing 4% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Palolo | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 8.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | — |
| Washing Machine | 12.6 yrs | 12 yrs | — |
| Water Heater | 14.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -3% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Palolo compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Palolo, Hawaii | 27 mg/L | 0.8 ppt | 🟢 Soft | groundwater |
| Manoa, Hawaii | 14.5 mg/L | 0.6 ppt | 🟢 Soft | groundwater |
| Kuliouou - Kalani Iki, Hawaii | 57.5 mg/L | 1.2 ppt | 🟢 Soft | groundwater |
| Kaimuki, Hawaii | 43.5 mg/L | 1 ppt | 🟢 Soft | groundwater |
| Diamond Head / Kapahulu / Saint Louis Heights, Hawaii | 64 mg/L | 1.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Palolo compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Palolo | 27 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Palolo's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Palolo, Hawaii, in Honolulu County — a Honolulu County neighborhood adjacent to Kaimuki and Manoa on the windward slope of the Ko'olau Mountains on Oahu — receives its water from the Board of Water Supply, drawing from the Ko'olau basalt aquifer (Honolulu County) through the Honolulu distribution.
The very soft 27 mg/L hardness and low TDS of 66.7 mg/L reflect the Oahu Ko'olau windward valley basalt aquifer supply's very soft character — the Quaternary Ko'olau Basalt produces very soft water with minimal calcareous contact, among the softest in the Hawaiian island supply (compare Nanakuli HI: 76/253 on the leeward Waianae-Ewa supply; Palolo far softer from the windward Ko'olau high-rainfall insoluble basalt). The Ko'olau aquifer at Honolulu County — Quaternary Ko'olau Basalt (insoluble — primary dilutant), Pleistocene alluvial sediment (slightly calcareous — trace hardness contributor), and Holocene coastal mixing (chloride — minor TDS).
At 27 mg/L, Palolo's water is very soft — scale forms very slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and no softening is needed. Annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 0.8 ppt is very low — no filtration urgently required, warrants routine monitoring only.
Geology & Source: Palolo in Honolulu County draws from the Board of Water Supply on the Ko'olau basalt aquifer (Honolulu County, Oahu windward valley, Hawaii) — the Ko'olau aquifer at Honolulu is developed in Quaternary Ko'olau Basalt (insoluble) and Pleistocene Waianae alluvial (slightly calcareous) — Hawaii Honolulu County Ko'olau Basalt Quaternary insoluble volcanic supply produces very soft water at 27 mg/L with TDS 66.7 mg/L.