HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Nearly a decade ago, drinking water expert Elin Betanzo helped uncover lead contamination in Flint, Michigan. Today, on behalf of a Red Hill community group called the Red Hill Community Representation Initiative, she examined the Navy’s drinking water data after its 2021 fuel spills. She focused on jet fuel contamination, but found the highest exceedances were for lead.

“I looked at the numbers and the levels of concern, and the warning immediately jumped out at me,” said Betanzo, president and founder of Safe Water Engineering.

According to Betanzo, the Navy’s Safe Waters website reported more than 6,000 lead detections in drinking water samples between 2022 and July 2024. Twenty-six samples exceeded health-related limits.

These violations also included schools:

Pearl Harbor Kai Elementary, Building D1-22 3/331/2002

Pearl Harbor Kai Elementary, Building D1-22 01.04.2022

Montessori Center of Pearl Harbor, Building 81 March 22, 2022

Moanalua Preschool – Kamaaina Kids March 29, 2022

Pearl Harbor Elementary School 09.02.2023

“There is no reason why anyone should drink lead in their water,” Betanzo said.

“Lead in drinking water can be caused by old faucets or pipes that need to be replaced. As of February 1, 2024, all lead exceedances identified in the JBPHH water system have been eliminated by upgrading fixtures and flushing the building with water,” the Navy said on its Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Safe Waters website.

“According to the EPA, the safe lead level is zero,” Betanzo said.

Lead is an invisible pollutant. You can’t see it or taste it. The US Environmental Protection Agency says that even at low levels of exposure, “young children, infants, and fetuses are particularly at risk due to physical and behavioral effects.”

“I am worried about the residents because everyone needs clean drinking water,” said Betanzo.

“We have not yet regulated the use of lead in jet fuel, so that could explain some of what is happening here,” she added.

Christine Mabery of Kapilina says her urine test in April found lead.

“My lead test was positive so I called to have my water tested,” Mabery said.

In May, lead was found in her water. She says Navy officials flushed the faucet before testing while the EPA watched. Betanzo says the flushing did not follow federal protocols.

“They watched them flush my faucet for about half an hour before they even tested the water,” Mabery said.

“If this is their protocol, then the water should not be flushed before the lead test,” she added.

For those concerned, the EPA says some filters can remove lead from drinking water.

HNN Investigates asked the Navy several questions, including whether the water is safe to drink given the lead findings. We are still waiting for answers.

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