WaterVerge

Is George, WA Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A-, with 3 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

1K residents served 1 water system PWSID: WA5327395
Overall Score
86.1 / 100
Violations
3 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#89 of 294 in Washington Top 32% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
86.1/100
waterverge.com
A- 86.1/100

George, WA — Water Quality Report

George's drinking water received a grade of A- (86.1 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,035 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 61 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about George's water

George ranks #89 out of 294 cities in Washington for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

George 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, George may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
86.1 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
34.1/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
10/10
A
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is George, WA water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

George's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (86.1/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,035 residents using groundwater (wells).

3
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
2 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for George

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into George's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (86.1/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Nitrate.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Nitrate.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Disaster
SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, MUDSLIDES

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4309). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

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 George's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

George's water system has 61 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved. 4 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MROtherMONMCL
Most recent violations:
Jan 2025 Nitrate Resolved
Oct 2024 Nitrate Resolved
Jul 2024 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2023 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jan 2020 Nickel Resolved

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.

SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA DR-4309
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Coastal Storm FEMA DR-3227

Where does George's water come from?

George's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,035 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What George residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in George'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
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

61
Total violations
3
Health-based
3
Active / unresolved
Jan 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

61 Total
3 Active
3 Health-based
58 Resolved
Violations by category
Inorganic Chemicals
33
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
7
Nitrate Rule
6
Total Coliform Rule
5
Consumer Confidence Rule
3
Jul 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2023 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2018 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2025 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2025
Oct 2024 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2024
Jan 2020 Resolved
Nickel
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2020 Resolved
Nitrite
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2020 Resolved
Selenium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2020 Resolved
Beryllium, Total
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2020 Resolved
Thallium, Total
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2020 Resolved
1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2020 Resolved
ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2020 Resolved
Barium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2020 Resolved
Cadmium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2020 Resolved
CYANIDE
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2020 Resolved
Fluoride
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2020 Resolved
Mercury
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2020 Resolved
Arsenic
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2020 Resolved
Antimony, Total
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Jan 2020 Resolved
Chromium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Showing 20 of 61 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of George

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near George, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
CENTRAL WASHINGTON CONCRETE - QUINCY
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · CRH AMERICAS INC
QUINCY, WA98848
9.9 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D1 — moderate drought

Grant 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.

27.6%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

2
Declared disasters
Apr 2017
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

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.

Apr 2017
SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #4309
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Coastal Storm FEMA #3227

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 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 3.5 ppb from 1996 (3.5 ppb) to 2023 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,035
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where George's water comes from

Groundwater

George'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 local government ownership and serves approximately 1,035 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving George

System Name PWSID Population Source
GEORGE CITY OF WA5327395 1,035 GW
Regional Comparison

How George compares

Full Washington rankings →

George's score of 86.1/100 is above the average of 53/100 among major Washington cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

George (this city)
86.1
Seattle
42.3
Tacoma
32.2
Vancouver
32.9
Spokane
39.2
Kent
44.4
Washington avg
53
City Profile

About George, WA

Economic Profile
$48,333
Median Income
$163,290
Median Home Value
$870/mo
Median Rent
9.3%
Unemployment
Community
26.8
Median Age
250
People / sq mi
3.5%
College Educated
47.4%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is George, WA tap water safe to drink?

George's water quality earned a grade of A- (86.1/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #89 out of 294 cities tested in Washington.

What contaminants are in George's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 61 violations are on record.

How is George'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 George?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does George's water come from?

George's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,035 residents.

What health violations has George's water system had?

George has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 3 violations remain unresolved.

Is George's groundwater at risk of contamination?

George 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 61 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 George's water compare to other cities?

George ranks #89 out of 294 cities in Washington (better than 70% of state cities) and #4939 out of 15744 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 George's small water system affect quality?

George's system serves approximately 1,035 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 61 violations on record.