01The verdict: is Chinook water safe?
Chinook's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (85.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 664 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
4 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Top half in Washington
Chinook ranks #93 of 294 graded Washington cities.
See the comparison ↓A flood-prone service area
10 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Chinook's drinking water received a grade of A- (85.5 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 664 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 9.0 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 37 violations on record, including 23 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.
Chinook ranks #93 out of 294 cities in Washington for water quality, placing it mid-range 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. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Chinook may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Chinook's water
Every contaminant flagged in Chinook, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
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. | 9.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Washington
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Washington
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Chinook's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 37 violations on record, including 23 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Chinook.
▼ Down 5 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 9 ppb (2023) — 60% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Chinook's water comes from
Chinook's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Local treatment
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
1 system
1 water system (1 wholesaler), operated under local government ownership.
664 people
Residents served across Chinook's service area.
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 664 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHINOOK WATER DISTRICT | WA5312800 | 664 | Surface Water |
05Pressure on Chinook's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Pacific County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Superfund proximity
1 National Priorities List site within 10 miles. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.
06How Chinook compares
Scores for nearby Washington cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Washington average (53/100)
Chinook scores 85.5/100 — above the Washington average of 53/100. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities. Full Washington rankings →
42.3 / 100FTacoma, WA
32.2 / 100FVancouver, WA
32.9 / 100FSpokane, WA
39.2 / 100FKent, WA
44.4 / 100ABellevue, WA
91.6 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Chinook's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 9.0 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Chinook alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Chinook, WA tap water safe to drink?
Chinook's water quality earned a grade of A- (85.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #93 out of 294 cities tested in Washington.
What contaminants are in Chinook's water?
Lead was measured at 9.0 ppb (90th percentile). 37 violations are on record.
How is Chinook'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 Chinook?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Chinook's water come from?
Chinook's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 664 residents.
What health violations has Chinook's water system had?
Chinook has 23 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2015. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 4 violations remain unresolved.
How does Chinook's water compare to other cities?
Chinook ranks #93 out of 294 cities in Washington (better than 68% of state cities) and #5278 out of 15382 cities nationally (66th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Chinook's small water system affect quality?
Chinook's system serves approximately 664 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 37 violations on record.