Is Bingen, WA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
88/100
waterverge.com Bingen, WA — Water Quality Report
Bingen's drinking water received a grade of A- (88 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,758 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 132 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
What to know about Bingen's water
Bingen ranks #63 out of 294 cities in Washington for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
As a small community water system, Bingen may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Bingen, WA water safe to drink?
Bingen's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (88/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,758 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Bingen
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Bingen's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (88/100).
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4650). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: p-Dichlorobenzene, Vinyl chloride, trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-1817). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Diquat.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Bingen's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Bingen's water system has 132 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Klickitat County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1964. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Mosier Creek, Hood River, White Salmon River.
Where does Bingen's water come from?
Bingen's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,758 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Mosier Creek (river), Hood River (river), White Salmon River (river).
What Bingen residents can do
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Bingen's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Bingen
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Bingen, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
SDS LUMBER CO BINGEN, WA98605 | — | — | 0.5 mi |
CARDINAL GLASS HOOD RIVER, OR97031 | — | — | 6.0 mi |
CPM DEVELOPMENT CORP. DBA HOOD RIVER SAND GRAVEL & READY-M HOOD RIVER, OR97031 | — | — | 1.4 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Klickitat County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1964. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Bingen compares by contaminant
Explore where Bingen ranks among all Washington cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Bingen's water comes from
Bingen's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,758 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Bingen
Bingen is located near 3 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Bingen
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BINGEN WATER DEPT | WA5306900 | 1,758 | SWP |
How Bingen compares
Full Washington rankings →Bingen's score of 88/100 is above the average of 53/100 among major Washington cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Washington rankings →About Bingen, WA
Wikipedia →Bingen is a city in Klickitat County, Washington, United States. The population was 778 at the 2020 census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Bingen's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Klickitat
Frequently asked questions
Is Bingen, WA tap water safe to drink?
Bingen's water quality earned a grade of A- (88/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #63 out of 294 cities tested in Washington.
What contaminants are in Bingen's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 132 violations are on record.
How is Bingen's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Bingen?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Bingen's water come from?
Bingen's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,758 residents.
How does Bingen's water compare to other cities?
Bingen ranks #63 out of 294 cities in Washington (better than 79% of state cities) and #3715 out of 15744 cities nationally (76th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Bingen's small water system affect quality?
Bingen's system serves approximately 1,758 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 132 violations on record.