Is Cle Elum, WA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D — but Vanadium was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
48/100
waterverge.com Cle Elum, WA — Water Quality Report
Cle Elum's drinking water received a grade of D (48 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 27 water systems serve approximately 8,996 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.8 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 1259 violations on record, including 105 health-based violations. 54 remain unresolved.
What to know about Cle Elum's water
Cle Elum ranks #224 out of 294 cities in Washington for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated 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.
The system has seen 18 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Cle Elum, WA water safe to drink?
Cle Elum's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (48/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 27 water systems serve approximately 8,996 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Cle Elum
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Cle Elum's water quality assessment. Grade: D (48/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3629). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Nitrate.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-1817). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Cle Elum's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Cle Elum's water system has 1,259 total violations on record, including 105 health-based violations. 54 remain unresolved. 18 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Kittitas County has experienced 8 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.
Where does Cle Elum's water come from?
Cle Elum's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 27 water systems serving approximately 8,996 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Cle Elum residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Cle Elum's water.
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.
Cle Elum'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
Drought conditions
D1 — moderate droughtKittitas County is currently in D1 (moderate drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Kittitas County has experienced 8 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. | 0.8 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Cle Elum compares by contaminant
Explore where Cle Elum ranks among all Washington cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Cle Elum's water comes from
Cle Elum'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 private ownership and serves approximately 8,996 people through 27 water systems.
Water systems serving Cle Elum
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUNCADIA RESORT | WA53AA317 | 2,640 | SWP |
| CLE ELUM WATER DEPARTMENT | WA5313500 | 2,213 | SW |
| BASIN WATER SOURCES INC | WA5304600 | 1,158 | GW |
| KITTITAS COUNTY WATER DISTRICT #5 | WA5342704 | 699 | GW |
| KITTITAS COUNTY WATER DISTRICT #7 | WA5385295 | 463 | GW |
| EASTON WATER DISTRICT | WA5342700 | 362 | GW |
| Outlaw Camp | WA53AC008 | 193 | GW |
| Palomino Fields | WA53AD362 | 156 | GW |
| EVERGREEN VALLEY | WA5302150 | 152 | GW |
| DRIFTWOOD ACRES MAINTENANCE CORP | WA5319943 | 114 | GW |
| DIAMOND POINT WATER SYSTEM | WA5306536 | 110 | GW |
| SKY MEADOWS RANCH COUNTRY CLUB WTR | WA5380005 | 98 | GW |
| SUN ISLAND MAINTENANCE ASSN | WA5385128 | 97 | GW |
| Game Farm Estates | WA53AB325 | 81 | GW |
| Kiona West Heights Water Assoc. | WA5316589 | 77 | GW |
| Cougar Campers | WA53AB548 | 44 | GW |
| HIDDEN VALLEY GUEST RANCH | WA5332648 | 43 | GW |
| RESERVOIR HILL MAINTENANCE ASSN | WA5308401 | 34 | GW |
| Granite Glen | WA5329055 | 34 | GW |
| CASCADE VIEW ESTATES #4 | WA5306581 | 30 | GW |
| Turf Trails Domestic | WA53AB914 | 30 | GW |
| Cottage Farms | WA53AC914 | 30 | GW |
| Grasslands Park | WA53AB290 | 29 | GW |
| Dakota Heights Water System | WA53AC681 | 29 | GW |
| CASCADE VIEW ESTATES #1 | WA53AA044 | 28 | GW |
| SWIFTWATER TRAILER PARK | WA5386633 | 27 | GW |
| CASCADE VIEW ESTATES #3 | WA53AA046 | 25 | GW |
How Cle Elum compares
Full Washington rankings →Cle Elum's score of 48/100 is on par with the average of 53/100 among major Washington cities. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Washington rankings →About Cle Elum, WA
Wikipedia →Cle Elum is a city in Kittitas County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,157 at the 2020 census. About 84 miles (135 km) by car from Seattle, Cle Elum is a popular area for camping and outdoor activities. It is also unofficially considered the starting point of Eastern Washington when driving east on I-90 from Seattle, although this is somewhat arbitrary since many consider either the town of Easton, anywhere east of Keechelus Lake, or the wildlife crossing bridge over I-90 to be the starting point.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Cle Elum's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Kittitas
Frequently asked questions
Is Cle Elum, WA tap water safe to drink?
Cle Elum's water quality earned a grade of D (48/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #224 out of 294 cities tested in Washington.
What contaminants are in Cle Elum's water?
Lead was measured at 0.8 ppb (90th percentile). 1259 violations are on record.
How is Cle Elum'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 Cle Elum?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Cle Elum's water come from?
Cle Elum's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 27 water systems serving approximately 8,996 residents.
What health violations has Cle Elum's water system had?
Cle Elum has 105 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 54 violations remain unresolved.
How does Cle Elum's water compare to other cities?
Cle Elum ranks #224 out of 294 cities in Washington (better than 24% of state cities) and #13506 out of 15744 cities nationally (14th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.