Strontium Contamination

Strontium in Washington Drinking Water

Ranked by max strontium detected (µg/L) · UCMR 3 data (2013–2015) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Over HRL

% Over HRL

137.8 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 6% vs national

vs National

261

Health Violations

Analysis

Strontium in Washington: what the data shows

Washington has 95 cities with strontium data from the EPA's UCMR 3 program (2013–2015). Strontium was detected above the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level in 0 of those cities. The state average max detected level is 137.8 µg/L. Strontium occurs naturally in groundwater, particularly in areas with limestone and dolomite geology. It can also enter water from industrial waste and mining operations. There is no federal MCL for strontium, but the EPA established a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L. Long-term exposure to strontium above the HRL may affect bone health, particularly in children, by substituting for calcium in developing bones. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 1,500 µg/L EPA HRL (no MCL)

Washington

0 of 95 cities

← ▼ 6% below national rate (better)

National avg

250 of 4371 cities

City Map

Strontium data across Washington

Each dot is a city with UCMR 3 strontium testing data. Cities where strontium exceeds the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by strontium level in Washington

Highest Strontium levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Washington cities ranked by strontium level

#	City	Level	Over HRL?	Violations	Grade
1	Puyallup	620.0 µg/L	No	124	F
2	Cashmere	531.1 µg/L	No	21	F
3	Royal City	517.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
4	Moses Lake	400.0 µg/L	No	132	F
5	Kennewick	385.0 µg/L	No	78	F
6	Richland	365.0 µg/L	No	7	C+
7	Selah	322.0 µg/L	No	4	B
8	Sequim	314.0 µg/L	No	64	F
9	Cle Elum	311.1 µg/L	No	105	D
10	West Richland	303.0 µg/L	No	99	F
11	Spanaway	280.0 µg/L	No	9	C+
12	Ferndale	269.0 µg/L	No	110	F
13	Wenatchee	255.0 µg/L	No	41	D
14	Othello	248.0 µg/L	No	102	D
15	Pullman	247.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
16	Mead	239.0 µg/L	No	3	B-
17	Spokane	220.0 µg/L	No	56	F
18	Stanwood	213.0 µg/L	No	31	D
19	Sunnyside	211.0 µg/L	No	2	A-
20	Vancouver	200.0 µg/L	No	36	F
21	Sammamish	199.0 µg/L	No	6	C-
22	Snoqualime	170.0 µg/L	No	4	A-
23	Camas	168.0 µg/L	No	2	C
24	Tumwater	159.0 µg/L	No	24	D+
25	Yakima	158.0 µg/L	No	162	F
26	Spokane Valley	158.0 µg/L	No	10	C-
27	Kent	140.0 µg/L	No	31	F
28	Federal Way	140.0 µg/L	No	2	B
29	Bremerton	140.0 µg/L	No	13	C
30	Port Angeles	140.0 µg/L	No	19	F
31	Battle Ground	140.0 µg/L	No	12	B-
32	Arlington	140.0 µg/L	No	83	F
33	Manchester	140.0 µg/L	No	7	A
34	Ellensburg	139.0 µg/L	No	19	D
35	Issaquah	137.0 µg/L	No	10	C-
36	Poulsbo	133.0 µg/L	No	95	F
37	Redmond	130.0 µg/L	No	4	B-
38	Lacey	130.0 µg/L	No	125	F
39	Buckley	130.0 µg/L	No	5	D+
40	Cheney	127.0 µg/L	No	5	A-
41	Tacoma	120.0 µg/L	No	232	F
42	Silverdale	120.0 µg/L	No	17	F
43	Centralia	120.0 µg/L	No	5	B-
44	East Wenatchee	116.0 µg/L	No	19	B
45	Birch Bay	111.0 µg/L	No	14	A
46	Pasco	110.0 µg/L	No	137	D
47	Auburn	110.0 µg/L	No	18	D+
48	Port Orchard	110.0 µg/L	No	753	F
49	Bainbridge Island	110.0 µg/L	No	3	A
50	Everett	108.0 µg/L	No	16	D
51	Greenacres	105.0 µg/L	No	12	B+
52	Longview	103.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
53	Snohomish	103.0 µg/L	No	11	D
54	Edmonds	98.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
55	Dupont	98.0 µg/L	No	0	A
56	Joint Base Lewis-Mcchord	96.0 µg/L	No	3	B+
57	Lynden	94.0 µg/L	No	235	F
58	Yacolt	93.5 µg/L	No	0	A
59	Yelm	91.0 µg/L	No	12	D+
60	Renton	90.0 µg/L	No	11	D+
61	Olympia	88.0 µg/L	No	66	F
62	Prosser	86.2 µg/L	No	42	C+
63	Lakewood	86.0 µg/L	No	5	B+
64	Enumclaw	84.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
65	Hoquiam	84.0 µg/L	No	6	B-
66	Marysville	81.0 µg/L	No	12	D
67	Clarkston	78.6 µg/L	No	16	B+
68	Carbonado	73.0 µg/L	No	41	B
69	Washougal	65.0 µg/L	No	2	B+
70	Bucoda	61.0 µg/L	No	5	B+
71	Bellingham	60.8 µg/L	No	54	F
72	Chehalis	50.0 µg/L	No	12	F
73	Shelton	49.5 µg/L	No	158	F
74	Oak Harbor	47.0 µg/L	No	105	F
75	Nas Whidbey Island	42.0 µg/L	No	0	A+
76	Maple Valley	39.0 µg/L	No	7	C+
77	Seattle	38.0 µg/L	No	138	F
78	Kelso	37.4 µg/L	No	15	F
79	Mount Vernon	37.0 µg/L	No	191	F
80	Kirkland	36.0 µg/L	No	4	D+
81	Burien	36.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
82	Castle Rock	35.2 µg/L	No	2	A-
83	Bothell	31.0 µg/L	No	7	F
84	Mercer Island	31.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
85	Bellevue	30.0 µg/L	No	2	A
86	Kenmore	30.0 µg/L	No	0	B-
87	Walla Walla	28.5 µg/L	No	84	D
88	Woodinville	28.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
89	Shoreline	28.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
90	South Bend	26.5 µg/L	No	83	D+
91	Monroe	19.0 µg/L	No	4	C
92	Lynnwood	18.0 µg/L	No	0	B-
93	Aberdeen	18.0 µg/L	No	10	D
94	Mukilteo	16.7 µg/L	No	0	A-
95	Mountlake Terrace	15.1 µg/L	No	0	B+

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about strontium in Washington

Is strontium in Washington tap water harmful?

Strontium at low levels is not considered harmful, but the EPA set a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L based on potential bone effects. No cities in Washington exceed the HRL. There is currently no federal MCL for strontium. Children may be more susceptible because strontium can substitute for calcium in developing bones.

How can I remove strontium from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis and ion exchange (water softener) systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water. Standard carbon filters are NOT effective. If your water comes from a well in an area with limestone or dolomite geology, consider testing for strontium.

More contaminants