Dehalogenates both (S)- and (R)-2-haloalkanoic acids to the corresponding (R)- and (S)-hydroxyalkanoic acids, respectively, with inversion of configuration at C-2. Acts on 2-haloalkanoic acids whose carbon chain lengths are five or less. an (S)-2-haloacid + H2O = a (2R)-2-hydroxycarboxylate + a halide anion + H(+) an (R)-2-haloacid + H2O = a (2S)-2-hydroxycarboxylate + a halide anion + H(+) Belongs to the HAD-like hydrolase superfamily. S-2-haloalkanoic acid dehalogenase family.