Surfrider Kauaʻi’s volunteer Blue Water Task Force tests coastal waters around the Garden Island for enterococcus bacteria, a fecal indicator bacteria.
Following heavy rains during the past month, 22 sites islandwide had high bacteria levels as of April 11, exceeding the state’s recreational water quality standards.
Elevated levels of enterococcus indicate other harmful pathogens could be present that can make people sick when entering the ocean.
Hawaiʻi Department of Health Clean Water Branch on April 9 issued a brown water advisory for Kauaʻi.
A brown water advisory results from periods of heavy rain, when stormwater runoff carries pollutants — including sewage and other contaminants — into coastal waters.
The public is advised to avoid entering coastal waters during a brown water advisory. If the water if brown, just turn around.
There was also a reported wastewater spill April 10 at Waimea Wastewater Treatment Plant, where partially treated sewage overflowed from the effluent tank, likely reaching Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor.
Warning signs were posted.
Surfrider Kauaʻi Blue Water Task Force Report
| Site | Single-day results | 2026 geomean |
| Maniniholo (Puka’s Surf) | <10 | 5 |
| Hanalei Pier | <10 | 80 |
| Waiohai Surf, Poʻipū | 10 | 22 |
| Lydgate (Morgans Pond) | 20 | 26 |
| ʻAnini Beach Boat Ramp | 41 | 20 |
| Waikoko Surf | 63 | 44 |
| Middles Surf | 63 | 46 |
| Kāhili (Rock Quarry) Surf | 134 | 30 |
| Davidsons Surf | 158 | New |
| Kalihiwai Surf | 160 | 43 |
| Keālia Surf | 195 | 25 |
| Lumahaʻi Rivermouth | 226 | 161 |
| Hanamāʻulu Bay Beach | 228 | 137 |
| Anahola Bay Surf | 288 | 83 |
| Nāwiliwili Boat Harbor | 328 | New |
| Kalapakī Bay Surf | 408 | 90 |
| Wainiha Rivermouth | 504 | 407 |
| Hanapēpē River | 884 | 984 |
| Waimea Rivermouth | 865 | 1,335 |
| Hanalei River | 1,112 | 599 |
| Hanamāʻulu Stream | 1,301 | 137 |
| Nāwiliwili Stream | 1,594 | 1,934 |
| Mānoa Stream | 1,670 | 1,622 |
| Wailuā River Park | 1,726 | 917 |
| Pākāla Surf | 2,495 | 673 |
| Anahola River | 2,851 | 855 |
| Moloaʻa Stream | 3,130 | 2,037 |
| Port Allen Boat Harbor | 3,784 | 77 |
| Waikomo Stream, Kōloa | 4,786 | 688 |
Click here to view historical Kaua‘i Blue Water Task Force data.
Blue Water Task Force is Surfrider’s volunteer water quality monitoring program that provides critical water quality information to protect public health at beaches.
It measures fecal indicator bacteria levels and compares them to public health standards for recreational waters. Surfrider chapters use this program to raise awareness about local pollution problems and bring together communities to implement solutions.
Kaua‘i Blue Water Task Force supplements beach water testing performed by Hawai‘i Department of Health to provide year-round water quality information.
Visit the Clean Water Branch website to find all swim advisories issued by the state.
