WaterVerge

Is Falls City, WA Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B+, with 14 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 3 water systems PWSID: WA5396878
Overall Score
84.3 / 100
Violations
14 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased ground water
#107 of 294 in Washington Top 38% nationally
Private
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
84.3/100
waterverge.com
B+ 84.3/100

Falls City, WA — Water Quality Report

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.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Falls City's water

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.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
84.3 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
37.3/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.5 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Purchased ground water.
Water Safety

Is Falls City, WA water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

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
Active Violations
0.5 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)

Recent water quality updates for Falls City

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Falls City's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (84.3/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Falls City's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.5 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Falls City's water system has 35 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 14 remain unresolved. 4 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MONMROtherMCL
Most recent violations:
Dec 2025 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Jan 2023 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jan 2023 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jul 2021 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2016 Consumer Confidence Rule Open

Where does Falls City's water come from?

Falls City's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 3 water systems serving approximately 2,075 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Falls City residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Falls City's water.

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.5 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 3% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

35
Total violations
2
Health-based
14
Active / unresolved
Dec 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

35 Total
14 Active
2 Health-based
21 Resolved
Violations by category
Consumer Confidence Rule
8
Lead and Copper Rule
6
Total Coliform Rule
6
Inorganic Chemicals
6
Arsenic Rule
3
Jan 2023 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 2023 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2016 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2015 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2014 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2012 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2011 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2010 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2009 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 2003 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Dec 2025 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Dec 2025
Feb 2011 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Feb 2011
Jan 2010 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 2010
Jan 2007 Resolved
Arsenic
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2007
Apr 2000 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Apr 2000
Mar 2000 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2000
Showing 20 of 35 violations

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.5 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 1.5 ppb from 1993 (2.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.5 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Groundwater
Operator
Private
Population Served
2,075
Water Systems
3
Source breakdown
Purchased Groundwater
2
Groundwater
1
Water Source

Where Falls City's water comes from

Purchased Groundwater

Falls City purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.

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.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Falls City

System Name PWSID Population Source
WILDERNESS RIM ASSOCIATION WA5396878 1,867 GWP
UPPER PRESTON WATER ASSN WA5390700 150 GW
ALPINE WATER ASSOCIATION WA5307667 58 GWP
Regional Comparison

How Falls City compares

Full Washington rankings →

Falls City's score of 84.3/100 is above the average of 53/100 among major Washington cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Falls City (this city)
84.3
Seattle
42.3
Tacoma
32.2
Vancouver
32.9
Spokane
39.2
Kent
44.4
Washington avg
53
Share this reportHelp others learn about their water quality
WhatsAppXFacebookLinkedInEmail

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 #5982 out of 15744 cities nationally (62th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.