Is Royal City, WA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 5 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
89.8/100
waterverge.com Royal City, WA — Water Quality Report
Royal City's drinking water received a grade of A- (89.8 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,389 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.2 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 37 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 5 remain unresolved.
What to know about Royal City's water
Royal City ranks #47 out of 294 cities in Washington for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Royal City 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.
Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 0.57 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Royal City, WA water safe to drink?
Royal City's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (89.8/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,389 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Royal City
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Royal City's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (89.8/100).
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Nitrate, 1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE, ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE.
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4309). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
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 Royal City's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Royal City's water system has 37 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 5 remain unresolved. 1 violation was 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.
Where does Royal City's water come from?
Royal City's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 3,389 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Royal City residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Royal City's water.
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. | 1.2 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Royal City compares by contaminant
Explore where Royal City ranks among all Washington cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Royal City's water comes from
Royal City'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 3,389 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Royal City
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROYAL CITY WATER | WA5374700 | 3,389 | GW |
How Royal City compares
Full Washington rankings →Royal City's score of 89.8/100 is above the average of 53/100 among major Washington cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Washington rankings →About Royal City, WA
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Royal City's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Grant
Frequently asked questions
Is Royal City, WA tap water safe to drink?
Royal City's water quality earned a grade of A- (89.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #47 out of 294 cities tested in Washington.
What contaminants are in Royal City's water?
Lead was measured at 1.2 ppb (90th percentile). 37 violations are on record.
How is Royal 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 Royal City?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Royal City's water come from?
Royal City's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 3,389 residents.
What health violations has Royal City's water system had?
Royal City has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2023. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 5 violations remain unresolved.
Is Royal City's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Royal 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 37 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 Royal City's water compare to other cities?
Royal City ranks #47 out of 294 cities in Washington (better than 84% of state cities) and #2579 out of 15744 cities nationally (84th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.