01The verdict: is Skokomish Nation water safe?
Skokomish Nation's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (74/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,150 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 0.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓10 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 ↓Skokomish Nation's drinking water received a grade of B- (74 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,150 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 170 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 14 remain unresolved.
Skokomish Nation ranks #153 out of 294 cities in Washington for water quality, placing it below average in the state. Skokomish Nation 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, Skokomish Nation may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 10 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Skokomish Nation's water
Every contaminant flagged in Skokomish Nation, 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. | 0.0 | 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
03Skokomish Nation'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 170 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 14 remain unresolved.
3 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 0.43 ppb since 2009. Latest reading: 0 ppb (2025) — 0% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Skokomish Nation's water comes from
Skokomish Nation'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 native american ownership.
1,150 people
Residents served across Skokomish Nation'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 native american ownership and serves approximately 1,150 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SKOKOMISH | 105300020 | 1,150 | Groundwater |
05How Skokomish Nation compares
Scores for nearby Washington cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Washington average (53/100)
Skokomish Nation scores 74/100 — above the Washington average of 53/100. It outscores 8 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
06What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Skokomish Nation's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Skokomish Nation'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 Skokomish Nation 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 Skokomish Nation, WA tap water safe to drink?
Skokomish Nation's water quality earned a grade of B- (74/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #153 out of 294 cities tested in Washington.
What contaminants are in Skokomish Nation's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 170 violations are on record.
How is Skokomish Nation'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 Skokomish Nation?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Skokomish Nation's water come from?
Skokomish Nation's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,150 residents.
What health violations has Skokomish Nation's water system had?
Skokomish Nation has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 14 violations remain unresolved.
Is Skokomish Nation's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Skokomish Nation 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 170 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 Skokomish Nation's water compare to other cities?
Skokomish Nation ranks #153 out of 294 cities in Washington (better than 48% of state cities) and #9837 out of 15382 cities nationally (36th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Skokomish Nation's small water system affect quality?
Skokomish Nation's system serves approximately 1,150 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 170 violations on record.