01The verdict: is Fort Wingate water safe?
Fort Wingate's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (86.3/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 800 residents using groundwater (wells).
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 ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 3.2 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓1 violation 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 ↓Fort Wingate's drinking water received a grade of A- (86.3 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 800 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 3.2 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 9 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.
Fort Wingate ranks #1 out of 6 cities in District of Columbia for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state. Fort Wingate 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, Fort Wingate may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Fort Wingate's water
Every contaminant flagged in Fort Wingate, 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. | 3.2 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in District of Columbia
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in District of Columbia
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Fort Wingate'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 9 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.
8 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 0.40 ppb since 2011. Latest reading: 3.2 ppb (2025) — 21% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Fort Wingate's water comes from
Fort Wingate's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
1 system
1 water system, operated under federal ownership.
800 people
Residents served across Fort Wingate's service area.
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 federal ownership and serves approximately 800 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wingate Elementary School (New) - BIE | 093534022 | 800 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Fort Wingate
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05How Fort Wingate compares
Scores for nearby District of Columbia cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = District of Columbia average (75/100)
Fort Wingate scores 86.3/100 — above the District of Columbia average of 75/100. It outscores 4 of 5 nearby cities. Full District of Columbia rankings →
40.1 / 100BSalem, DC
83.4 / 100AFort Wingate, DC
86.3 / 100BFt. Wingate Elementary School, DC
82.2 / 100BFt. Wingate Elementary School, DC
82.2 / 100
06What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Fort Wingate's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Fort Wingate'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 →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 Fort Wingate 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 Fort Wingate, DC tap water safe to drink?
Fort Wingate's water quality earned a grade of A- (86.3/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #1 out of 6 cities tested in District of Columbia.
What contaminants are in Fort Wingate's water?
Lead was measured at 3.2 ppb (90th percentile). 9 violations are on record.
How is Fort Wingate'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 Fort Wingate?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Fort Wingate's water come from?
Fort Wingate's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 800 residents.
Is Fort Wingate's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Fort Wingate 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 9 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 Fort Wingate's water compare to other cities?
Fort Wingate ranks #1 out of 6 cities in District of Columbia (better than 83% of state cities) and #4757 out of 15382 cities nationally (69th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Fort Wingate's small water system affect quality?
Fort Wingate's system serves approximately 800 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 9 violations on record.