The regulatory framework behind every beach advisory in Hawaiʻi: federal EPA criteria, state standards, advisory thresholds, impaired water designations, and how Hawaiʻi compares to other coastal states.
In 2012, the EPA published updated Recreational Water Quality Criteria (RWQC) that recommended enterococcus as the indicator organism for marine recreational waters. These criteria are based on epidemiological studies linking swimmer illness rates to bacteria concentrations.
| Standard | Value | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Geometric Mean | 35 CFU/100mL | Rolling geometric mean of samples should not exceed this value. Represents the ongoing baseline condition. |
| Statistical Threshold Value (STV) | 130 CFU/100mL | No more than 10% of samples should exceed this value. This is the threshold Hawaiʻi uses for posting advisories. |
| Beach Action Value (BAV) | 104 CFU/100mL | EPA’s recommended single-sample trigger for same-day notification. Some states use this as the immediate action threshold. |
The EPA criteria are recommendations, not mandates. States can adopt them directly, modify them, or set their own standards as long as they are at least as protective as the federal criteria. Hawaiʻi adopted the 130 CFU/100mL standard.
Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules Chapter 11-54 establishes the state’s water quality standards. For marine recreational waters (Class A — which includes all ocean beaches), the enterococcus standard is 130 CFU/100mL.
| Advisory Type | Threshold | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Beach Advisory | > 130 CFU/100mL | Laboratory test results. Posted when enterococcus in a grab sample exceeds the STV. |
| Brown Water Advisory | None (visual) | Visual observation of discolored water after storms. No lab testing required. No numeric threshold. |
| Sewage Spill | Any discharge | Any discharge of wastewater to state waters triggers public notification, regardless of volume. |
| Permit Exceedance | Permit-specific | When a wastewater treatment plant exceeds discharge permit limits. Thresholds vary by facility. |
Hawaiʻi does NOT close beaches for water quality. All water quality advisories in the state are informational only. They notify the public that conditions may pose health risks, but they do not restrict access to the beach or the water. There is no legal prohibition against swimming during a water quality advisory in Hawaiʻi.
This is a significant difference from some mainland states. California, for example, has mandatory beach closure authority. When bacteria levels exceed certain thresholds at monitored California beaches, the beach can be legally closed to swimming. Warning signs are posted and enforcement can occur.
In Hawaiʻi, you may see advisory signs posted at affected beaches, but the beach remains fully open. The decision to swim is entirely the individual’s responsibility. This is why we emphasize providing comprehensive data rather than giving direct advice — the more information you have, the better your personal decision can be.
Do not assume that because a beach is open, the water has been tested and found acceptable. Many beaches are never tested. An open beach with no posted advisory simply means no advisory has been posted — it does not mean conditions were evaluated and cleared. Check current conditions using our live data page and apply common sense: if the water looks brown or murky, stay out regardless of advisory status.
Under Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act, states are required to identify water bodies that do not meet applicable water quality standards. These water bodies are placed on the state’s “impaired waters” list (also called the 303(d) list).
For beaches, this means that bacteria levels chronically exceed the standard, indicating a persistent contamination problem that cannot be resolved by simply posting advisories.
Hanalei Bay on Kauaʻi has been listed as impaired since 2004. The contamination sources are well-documented: four river discharges that drain large agricultural and residential watersheds, and over 360 cesspools in the Hanalei watershed. Despite the impaired designation, the beach remains open (as all Hawaiʻi beaches do).
Being listed as impaired requires the state to develop a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan — essentially a contamination budget that identifies sources and sets reduction targets. Progress on TMDL implementation has been gradual.
Uses a stricter single-sample maximum of 104 CFU/100mL (the EPA Beach Action Value). Has mandatory beach closure authority. County health departments can close beaches to swimming when bacteria exceeds thresholds. California also uses qPCR rapid testing at some beaches for same-day results.
Uses enterococcus with a geometric mean of 35 CFU/100mL. Florida posts health advisories but, like Hawaiʻi, does not typically close beaches for water quality. The state’s Healthy Beaches program monitors approximately 250 beaches statewide.
Uses a single-sample maximum of 104 CFU/100mL for enterococcus. Beaches can be closed by local health officers when standards are exceeded. New Jersey has one of the most comprehensive beach monitoring programs in the country.
Hawaiʻi’s 130 CFU/100mL threshold is the EPA’s STV — the upper bound of the recommended range. Some states use the stricter 104 BAV as their action threshold. Hawaiʻi’s informational-only advisory system (no closure authority) is less restrictive than states like California. And Hawaiʻi’s Brown Water Advisory system (visual observation, no lab data) has no equivalent threshold at all.
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⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent project — not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health or any government agency. This page provides educational information about water quality regulations and should not be considered legal advice. Always verify current conditions with the Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch.
When in doubt, don’t go out. 🤙