Hawaii Water Quality Today
Live DOH advisories for all islands — updated every 15 minutes
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What These Advisories Mean
BROWN WATER
Storm runoff carrying dirt, sewage from cesspools, fertilizers, and other pollutants into the ocean. The water looks brown or murky. Wait at least 72 hours after the advisory clears before swimming, especially near stream mouths.
SEWAGE SPILL
Raw or partially treated wastewater discharged into streams or the ocean, usually from treatment plant overflows during heavy rain or broken sewer lines. Avoid all contact with water near the discharge point until the advisory clears.
HIGH BACTERIA
Routine DOH testing found elevated bacteria levels exceeding safe swimming limits. Health risks include ear infections, skin infections, and gastrointestinal illness. Avoid swimming until the advisory is lifted.
Where This Data Comes From
Safe to Swim Hawaii pulls data from five sources to give you the most complete picture of ocean conditions:
- Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch — Official advisories for brown water, sewage spills, and bacteria. Updated as the DOH posts them.
- USGS Stream Monitoring — Real-time discharge and water level from stream gauges near major beaches. High stream flow = more runoff reaching the ocean.
- NOAA Tide & Temperature — Tide levels and ocean temperature from 5 stations across the islands.
- NDBC Wave Buoys — Wave height and period from offshore buoys. High surf stirs up sediment and makes conditions more dangerous.
- NWS Weather Alerts — Flood watches, high surf warnings, and marine advisories that affect ocean safety.
No other Hawaii beach site combines all five data sources in one place.
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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. Advisory data is pulled from public DOH sources and may have delays. Always check multiple sources before making swimming decisions. When in doubt, don't go out. 🤙