01The verdict: is South Bend water safe?
South Bend's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of D+ (54.8/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,930 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Lead is over its legal limit
Measured at 23.0 ppb against the EPA Action Level of 15 ppb. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓Monitoring is on schedule
The system is meeting its EPA monitoring and reporting requirements — testing is happening when it should.
See the score ↓A flood-prone service area
10 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓South Bend's drinking water received a grade of D+ (54.8 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,930 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 23.0 ppb (90th percentile), which exceeds the EPA action level of 15 ppb. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 323 violations on record, including 83 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
South Bend ranks #200 out of 294 cities in Washington for water quality, placing it below average in the state. The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 0.26 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. Lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb, which typically indicates aging lead service lines or lead solder in the distribution system. An NSF 53-certified filter is strongly recommended for drinking and cooking water. As a small community water system, South Bend may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in South Bend's water
Every contaminant flagged in South Bend, 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.
Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 15 ppb
Exceeds the EPA action level. Lead enters at the service line, not the treatment plant — your address matters more than the city average. Lead service line replacement and an NSF 53-certified point-of-use filter are recommended.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. | 23.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Over Limit |
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
03South Bend'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 323 violations on record, including 83 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for South Bend.
▲ Up 6 ppb since 1994. The latest reading (23 ppb, 2023) is over the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where South Bend's water comes from
South Bend's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Local treatment
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
1 system
1 water system (1 wholesaler), operated under local government ownership.
2,930 people
Residents served across South Bend's service area.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 2,930 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Bend Water Department | WA5381500 | 2,930 | Surface Water |
05Pressure on South Bend's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Pacific County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How South Bend compares
Scores for nearby Washington cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Washington average (53/100)
South Bend scores 54.8/100 — on par with the Washington average of 53/100. It outscores 7 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
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in South Bend's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF 53-certified pitcher or under-sink filter. Lead level (23.0 ppb) exceeds the EPA action level of 15 ppb
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 South Bend alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is South Bend, WA tap water safe to drink?
South Bend's water quality earned a grade of D+ (54.8/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #200 out of 294 cities tested in Washington.
What contaminants are in South Bend's water?
Lead was measured at 23.0 ppb (90th percentile). 323 violations are on record.
How is South Bend'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 South Bend?
Yes — lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb. We recommend an NSF 53-certified filter or reverse osmosis system. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does South Bend's water come from?
South Bend's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,930 residents.
What health violations has South Bend's water system had?
South Bend has 83 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2007. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.
How does South Bend's water compare to other cities?
South Bend ranks #200 out of 294 cities in Washington (better than 32% of state cities) and #12359 out of 15382 cities nationally (20th percentile). The grade of D+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does South Bend's small water system affect quality?
South Bend's system serves approximately 2,930 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 323 violations on record.