Is Desert Aire, WA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A- with no contaminants above EPA limits. Here's everything we tested and how Desert Aire ranks. What to do next ↓
89.5/100
waterverge.com Desert Aire, WA — Water Quality Report
Desert Aire's drinking water received a grade of A- (89.5 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,856 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.0 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 108 violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
What to know about Desert Aire's water
Desert Aire ranks #49 out of 294 cities in Washington for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Desert Aire relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Desert Aire may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Desert Aire, WA water safe to drink?
Based on EPA testing data, Desert Aire's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A- (89.5/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,856 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Desert Aire
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Desert Aire's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (89.5/100).
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4309). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: BHC-GAMMA, LASSO, Dinoseb.
Contaminants: BHC-GAMMA, Methoxychlor, Hexachlorocyclopentadiene.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3227). Coastal Storm event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Desert Aire's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Desert Aire's water system has 108 total violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Grant County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 2005. 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 Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam.
Where does Desert Aire's water come from?
Desert Aire's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,856 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Columbia River Below Priest Rapids Dam (river).
What Desert Aire 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.
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 droughtGrant 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
Grant County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 2005. 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. | 1.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Desert Aire compares by contaminant
Explore where Desert Aire ranks among all Washington cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Desert Aire's water comes from
Desert Aire's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by private ownership and serves approximately 2,856 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Desert Aire
Desert Aire is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Desert Aire
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| DESERT AIRE OWNER ASSN | WA5319056 | 2,856 | GW |
How Desert Aire compares
Full Washington rankings →Desert Aire's score of 89.5/100 is above the average of 53/100 among major Washington cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Washington rankings →About Desert Aire, WA
Wikipedia →Desert Aire is a census-designated place (CDP) in Grant County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,288 at the 2020 census up from 1,626 at the 2010 census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Desert Aire's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Grant
Frequently asked questions
Is Desert Aire, WA tap water safe to drink?
Desert Aire's water quality earned a grade of A- (89.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #49 out of 294 cities tested in Washington.
What contaminants are in Desert Aire's water?
Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 108 violations are on record.
How is Desert Aire'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 Desert Aire?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Desert Aire's water come from?
Desert Aire's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,856 residents.
What health violations has Desert Aire's water system had?
Desert Aire has 6 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2021. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. All health violations have been resolved.
Is Desert Aire's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Desert Aire uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 108 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Desert Aire's water compare to other cities?
Desert Aire ranks #49 out of 294 cities in Washington (better than 83% of state cities) and #2785 out of 15744 cities nationally (82th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Desert Aire's small water system affect quality?
Desert Aire's system serves approximately 2,856 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 108 violations on record.