Is Yacolt, WA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A — but Copper was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
90.4/100
waterverge.com Yacolt, WA — Water Quality Report
Yacolt's drinking water received a grade of A (90.4 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 705 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.0 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 82 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
What to know about Yacolt's water
Yacolt ranks #40 out of 294 cities in Washington for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Yacolt 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 1.00 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.
As a small community water system, Yacolt may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Yacolt, WA water safe to drink?
Based on EPA testing data, Yacolt's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A (90.4/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 705 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Yacolt
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Yacolt's water quality assessment. Grade: A (90.4/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4253). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: o-Dichlorobenzene, Vinyl chloride, 1,1-Dichloroethylene.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3227). Coastal Storm event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Benzene, 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene.
Contaminants: Ethylbenzene, Trichloroethylene, Tetrachloroethylene.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Yacolt's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Exceeds EPA action level. Copper can leach from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking.
Violation history
Yacolt's water system has 82 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Clark County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1964. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Canyon Creek, Speelyai Creek, Lake Merwin, East Fork Lewis River.
Where does Yacolt's water come from?
Yacolt's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 705 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Canyon Creek (river), Speelyai Creek (river), Lake Merwin (lake), East Fork Lewis River (river).
What Yacolt residents can do
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.
Yacolt's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Flood & disaster history
Clark County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1964. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in Yacolt's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.
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. | 1.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 1.35 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
Copper level (90th percentile)
Latest reading: 1.350 mg/L (2005)
EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L
See how Yacolt compares by contaminant
Explore where Yacolt ranks among all Washington cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Yacolt's water comes from
Yacolt'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 state ownership and serves approximately 705 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Yacolt
Yacolt is located near 4 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Yacolt
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| LARCH CORRECTIONS CENTER | WA5306461 | 705 | GW |
How Yacolt compares
Full Washington rankings →Yacolt's score of 90.4/100 is above the average of 53/100 among major Washington cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Washington rankings →About Yacolt, WA
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Yacolt's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Clark
Frequently asked questions
Is Yacolt, WA tap water safe to drink?
Yacolt's water quality earned a grade of A (90.4/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #40 out of 294 cities tested in Washington.
What contaminants are in Yacolt's water?
Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 82 violations are on record.
How is Yacolt'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 Yacolt?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Yacolt's water come from?
Yacolt's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 705 residents.
Is Yacolt's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Yacolt 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 82 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 Yacolt's water compare to other cities?
Yacolt ranks #40 out of 294 cities in Washington (better than 86% of state cities) and #2261 out of 15744 cities nationally (86th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Yacolt's small water system affect quality?
Yacolt's system serves approximately 705 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 82 violations on record.