01The verdict: is Falls City water safe?
Falls City's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (84.3/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 2,075 residents using groundwater (wells).
14 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 ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 0.5 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓4 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Falls City's drinking water received a grade of B+ (84.3 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 2,075 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.5 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 35 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 14 remain unresolved.
Falls City ranks #107 out of 294 cities in Washington for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. Falls City purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition. As a small community water system, Falls City may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Falls City's water
Every contaminant flagged in Falls City, 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. | 0.5 | 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
03Falls City'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 35 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 14 remain unresolved.
7 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 1.5 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 0.50 ppb (2025) — 3% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Falls City's water comes from
Falls City purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Purchased Groundwater
Water is bought from a regional wholesaler; quality starts at the supplier's intake and treatment.
Wholesale supplier
Primary treatment happens at the wholesaler; the local utility maintains disinfectant residual in its pipes.
3 systems
3 water systems, operated under private ownership.
2,075 people
Residents served across Falls City's service area.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Falls City's local distribution pipes and storage facilities. Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment. The system is operated by private ownership and serves approximately 2,075 people through 3 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| WILDERNESS RIM ASSOCIATION | WA5396878 | 1,867 | Purchased Groundwater |
| UPPER PRESTON WATER ASSN | WA5390700 | 150 | Groundwater |
| ALPINE WATER ASSOCIATION | WA5307667 | 58 | Purchased Groundwater |
05How Falls City compares
Scores for nearby Washington cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Washington average (53/100)
Falls City scores 84.3/100 — 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.→
06What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Falls City's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Falls City's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Falls City alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Falls City, WA tap water safe to drink?
Falls City's water quality earned a grade of B+ (84.3/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #107 out of 294 cities tested in Washington.
What contaminants are in Falls City's water?
Lead was measured at 0.5 ppb (90th percentile). 35 violations are on record.
How is Falls City'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 Falls City?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Falls City's water come from?
Falls City's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 2,075 residents.
What health violations has Falls City's water system had?
Falls City has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 14 violations remain unresolved.
Is Falls City's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Falls City 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 35 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 Falls City's water compare to other cities?
Falls City ranks #107 out of 294 cities in Washington (better than 64% of state cities) and #5933 out of 15382 cities nationally (61th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.