Washington Water Quality — 294 Cities Tested

Analysis

Washington water quality overview

Washington's drinking water quality is fair overall, with an average score of 70.1 out of 100 across 294 cities tested. The median score is 74.8, serving a total population of 9,219,149 residents. 32% of cities scored a D or F, pointing to significant water quality challenges in parts of the state. PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in 74 of 294 cities tested (25%). 26 cities exceed the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels. 5 cities have lead levels exceeding the EPA action level of 15 ppb, often indicating aging infrastructure with lead service lines or lead solder. The state relies on a mix of water sources: 205 cities use groundwater while 89 draw from surface water such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

Key Concerns

Issues to watch in Washington

74 cities

PFAS Detected

25% of tested cities have PFAS in their water supply.

5 cities

Lead Exceedances

Lead levels above the EPA action level of 15 ppb (90th percentile).

261 cities

Health Violations

120,280 total violations recorded, 281 with unresolved issues.

43 cities

Failing Systems

Received a grade of F, indicating serious water quality issues.

Contaminant Data

Explore contaminants in Washington

Lead in Washington → Ranked by 90th percentile level (ppb) PFAS in Washington → Ranked by compounds detected Copper in Washington → Ranked by 90th percentile level (mg/L)

More contaminants tested in Washington

HAA5 → Chromium-6 → Arsenic → Nitrate → Strontium → 1,4-Dioxane → Manganese → Vanadium → Chlorate → Molybdenum → Lithium → NDMA → Perchlorate →

State context

47

Superfund sites in Washington

EPA National Priorities List

65.1%

of Washington residents on fluoridated water

CDC, 2020

3,182,134

lbs released to surface water

Top 10 TRI facilities, 2023

23.2%

of Washington domestic wells exceed EPA arsenic limit

USGS, 4,303 samples · 10 µg/L MCL

Domestic well chemistry

Private-well water in Washington

Based on USGS Powell Domestic-Well Database — 6,699 private wells sampled across Washington. These wells are not regulated by the EPA; if you draw your tap from a private well, the public-system grade above does not apply to you.

4.0 µg/L

Median arsenic in domestic wells

P90 16.1 µg/L · max 280.0 µg/L

48 µg/L

Median manganese in domestic wells

16.2% exceed 300 µg/L aesthetic limit

Industrial pollution

Top industrial water polluters in Washington

Industrial polluters nearby

The 10 facilities reporting the most pounds released to surface water in Washington, 2023.

Total reported releases to surface water: 3,182,134 lbs

Facility	Top chemical	To surface water (lbs/yr)
LAMB WESTON INC RICHLAND FACILITY Food · LAMB WESTON INC RICHLAND, WA99354	Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)	2,350,514
ALLEIMA SPECIAL METALS LLC Primary Metals · ALLEIMA USA LLC KENNEWICK, WA99337	Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)	142,417
HF SINCLAIR PUGET SOUND REFINING LLC Petroleum · HF SINCLAIR CORP ANACORTES, WA98221	Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)	130,237
PHILLIPS 66 FERNDALE REFINERY Petroleum · PHILLIPS 66 CO FERNDALE, WA98248	Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)	122,302
NIPPON DYNAWAVE PACKAGING CO. Paper · NIPPON PAPER INDUSTRIES CO LTD LONGVIEW, WA98632	Manganese And Manganese Compounds	116,866

+ 5 more facilities

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Test your own tap

Get your Washington water tested

City-level data shows the source and infrastructure picture — but lead and other home-plumbing issues only show up at your tap. Find a state-certified lab, see what to test for, and what it costs.

Grade Distribution

How Washington cities scored

A: 97 B: 68 C: 34 D: 52 F: 43

Best Cities

Worst Cities

City Map

Water quality across Washington

Each dot is a city, colored by its water quality grade. Size reflects population served. Click any city to view its full water report.

All Cities

294 cities in Washington

Full rankings →

#	City	Grade	Score	Population	Violations
1	Steilacoom	A+	96.8	9K	2
2	Asotin	A+	96.6	3K	7
3	Nas Whidbey Island	A+	96.5	17K	10
4	Newman Lake	A+	95.3	2K	23
5	Waitsburg	A	94.4	2K	21
6	Tukwila	A	94.2	45K	0
7	Sedro Woolley	A	94	2K	15
8	Manchester	A	93.8	10K	34
9	Union Gap	A	93.8	6K	24
10	Randle	A	93.8	611	19
11	Kittitas	A	93.6	2K	17
12	Electric City	A	93.5	2K	31
13	Twisp	A	93.5	1K	42
14	Nooksack	A	93.4	2K	20
15	Bainbridge Island	A	93.3	13K	17
16	Birch Bay	A	93.2	9K	29
17	Littlerock	A	93.2	639	19
18	Fife	A	93.1	32K	12
19	Ion	A	93.1	2K	15
20	Liberty Lake	A	92.8	14K	25
21	Laconner	A	92.8	3K	15
22	Mt Vernon	A	92.7	2K	12
23	Ilwaco	A	92.6	3K	50
24	Malaga	A	92.5	3K	28
25	Dupont	A	92.4	13K	5
26	Granger	A	92	4K	14
27	Bellevue	A	91.6	317K	9
28	Palouse	A	91.4	1K	37
29	Startup	A	91.4	643	20
30	Wilkeson	A	91	1K	20
31	Naches	A	90.9	4K	103
32	Newcastle	A	90.8	16K	10
33	Harrah	A	90.8	1K	21
34	Albion	A	90.8	606	65
35	Coulee Dam	A	90.7	1K	3
36	Mccleary	A	90.6	3K	70
37	Graham	A	90.5	2K	39
38	Pouslbo	A	90.4	1K	19
39	Coulee City	A	90.4	944	20
40	Yacolt	A	90.4	705	82
41	Blaine	A	90.3	6K	95
42	Goldbar	A	90.3	3K	25
43	Adna	A	90.1	2K	85
44	Kettle Falls	A	90	3K	6
45	Toledo	A-	89.9	2K	22
46	Colton	A-	89.9	632	37
47	Royal City	A-	89.8	3K	37
48	Thorp	A-	89.7	510	9
49	Desert Aire	A-	89.5	3K	108
50	Ashford	A-	89.3	1K	57
51	Grand Coulee	A-	89.2	2K	6
52	Anderson Island	A-	89.2	1K	67
53	Dayton	A-	89.1	3K	15
54	Duvall	A-	89	14K	9
55	Des Moines	A-	88.6	5K	12
56	Point Roberts	A-	88.6	1K	19
57	Snoqualime	A-	88.5	16K	24
58	Sumas	A-	88.5	2K	69
59	Edmonds	A-	88.4	50K	13
60	Eatonville	A-	88.3	4K	53
61	Castle Rock	A-	88.2	4K	51
62	Mabton	A-	88	2K	118
63	Bingen	A-	88	2K	132
64	Entiat	A-	88	2K	59
65	North Bonneville	A-	87.9	1K	16
66	Shoreline	A-	87.7	32K	6
67	Ritzville	A-	87.7	2K	58
68	Port Gamble	A-	87.5	2K	88
69	Sumner	A-	87.4	16K	83
70	Edgewood	A-	87.4	10K	7
71	Malott	A-	87.4	636	14
72	South Cle Elum	A-	87.4	541	52
73	Granite Falls	A-	87.3	7K	8
74	Glacier	A-	87.3	2K	13
75	Allyn	A-	87.3	2K	89
76	Davenport	A-	87.3	2K	47
77	Rosalia	A-	87.3	1K	88
78	Joyce	A-	87.2	2K	46
79	Mukilteo	A-	86.9	25K	5
80	Mercer Island	A-	86.8	31K	12
81	Packwood	A-	86.7	1K	83
82	Rock Island	A-	86.6	4K	80
83	Anacortes	A-	86.5	794	23
84	Mckenna	A-	86.5	600	7
85	Bow	A-	86.3	2K	39
86	Manson	A-	86.2	7K	45
87	Woodinville	A-	86.1	60K	50
88	Oroville	A-	86.1	3K	79
89	George	A-	86.1	1K	61
90	Snoqualmie	A-	86	2K	85
91	Fircrest	A-	85.8	8K	55
92	Acme	A-	85.8	666	32
93	Chinook	A-	85.5	664	37
94	Rainier	A-	85.4	3K	66
95	Cheney	A-	85.2	32K	99
96	Rochester	A-	85.2	2K	79
97	Sunnyside	A-	85.1	17K	49
98	Clarkston	B+	84.9	22K	101
99	Snoqualmie Pass	B+	84.9	6K	105
100	Orting	B+	84.8	10K	27
101	La Conner	B+	84.8	2K	10
102	Lind	B+	84.8	903	18
103	Algona	B+	84.7	3K	11
104	Cusick	B+	84.6	672	30
105	Ocean Park	B+	84.5	11K	69
106	Sprague	B+	84.5	570	98
107	Falls City	B+	84.3	2K	35
108	Roy	B+	84.2	1K	7
109	Pateros	B+	84.1	1K	77
110	Enumclaw	B+	83.9	23K	66
111	North Bend	B+	83.8	14K	98
112	Tenino	B+	83.6	4K	96
113	Milton	B+	83.5	8K	56
114	Okanogan	B+	83.5	4K	183
115	Bucoda	B+	83.5	579	23
116	Burien	B+	83.2	16K	7
117	Winlock	B+	83.2	4K	241
118	Washougal	B+	82.8	21K	81
119	Fairchild Afb	B+	82.8	6K	9
120	Greenacres	B+	82.6	31K	45
121	Chewelah	B+	82.6	3K	93
122	Mountlake Terrace	B+	82.4	26K	12
123	Roslyn	B+	82.4	2K	13
124	Pomeroy	B+	82.4	1K	105
125	Trout Lake	B+	82.4	992	11
126	Vashion Island	B+	82.4	685	118
127	Pullman	B+	82.3	51K	26
128	Longview	B+	82	49K	15
129	Fox Island	B+	81.7	3K	214
130	Lapush	B+	81.5	885	130
131	Spangle	B+	80.9	650	60
132	Suquamish	B+	80.8	653	128
133	Everson	B+	80.7	5K	82
134	Lakewood	B+	80.6	62K	40
135	Joint Base Lewis-Mcchord	B+	80.4	72K	133
136	Carbonado	B	79.8	875	111
137	Sultan	B	79.7	7K	119
138	Long Beach	B	79.5	5K	178
139	Rockford	B	79.3	570	70
140	Airway	B	79.1	9K	84
141	East Wenatchee	B	78.8	27K	60
142	Selah	B	78.7	13K	133
143	Federal Way	B	77.3	118K	51
144	Colfax	B	76.8	4K	157
145	Moxee	B	76.5	6K	87
146	Waterville	B	76	2K	126
147	Winthrop	B	75.6	1K	84
148	Lynnwood	B-	74.8	268K	14
149	Lake Tapps	B-	74.8	2K	95
150	Greenbank	B-	74.8	605	221
151	Elma	B-	74.5	7K	149
152	Centralia	B-	74	29K	64
153	Skokomish Nation	B-	74	1K	170
154	Carlsborg	B-	73.4	15K	139
155	Redmond	B-	73.3	175K	177
156	Hoquiam	B-	73	21K	249
157	Goldendale	B-	73	8K	239
158	Ravensdale	B-	72.6	557	257
159	Mead	B-	72.5	27K	183
160	Kenmore	B-	72.2	105K	5
161	Medical Lake	B-	72	6K	111
162	Morton	B-	72	2K	349
163	Pe Ell	B-	70.7	859	161
164	Battle Ground	B-	70.2	30K	226
165	Fall City	B-	70.1	3K	257
166	Hoodsport	C+	69.5	5K	105
167	Stevenson	C+	69.5	3K	178
168	Onalaska	C+	69.4	2K	516
169	Washtucna	C+	68.9	1K	114
170	Kalama	C+	68.2	8K	51
171	Port Ludlow	C+	67.9	4K	65
172	Spanaway	C+	67.8	33K	70
173	Maple Valley	C+	67.7	29K	226
174	Connell	C+	67.2	5K	311
175	Mesa	C+	67.1	2K	99
176	White Salmon	C+	67	4K	92
177	Dallesport	C+	67	923	325
178	Custer	C+	66	1K	170
179	Ronald	C+	65.5	525	95
180	Richland	C+	65.4	106K	163
181	Prosser	C+	65.4	7K	241
182	Clinton	C	64.6	3K	284
183	Camano Island	C	64.5	744	135
184	Bridgeport	C	64	3K	421
185	Leavenworth	C	63.6	11K	128
186	Bremerton	C	63.5	97K	203
187	Tekoa	C	63.5	2K	308
188	Camas	C	63.1	32K	164
189	Lake Stevens	C	62.9	558	184
190	Cathlamet	C	62.1	4K	299
191	Monroe	C	60.4	27K	238
192	Mattawa	C	60	5K	354
193	Black Diamond	C-	59.8	3K	464
194	Belfair	C-	59.7	6K	304
195	Spokane Valley	C-	59.1	34K	112
196	Issaquah	C-	57.9	44K	338
197	Sammamish	C-	56	88K	433
198	Mossyrock	C-	56	2K	104
199	Carson	C-	55.4	4K	447
200	South Bend	D+	54.8	3K	323
201	Yelm	D+	54.4	20K	196
202	Westport	D+	54.4	6K	405
203	Warden	D+	54.4	5K	486
204	Renton	D+	54.1	193K	207
205	Lummi Island	D+	53.7	529	112
206	Grandview	D+	52.8	11K	252
207	Auburn	D+	52.5	117K	264
208	Lake Forest Park	D+	52	4K	1999
209	Buckley	D+	51.6	59K	425
210	Maple Falls	D+	51	5K	371
211	Tumwater	D+	50.9	67K	92
212	Kirkland	D+	50	67K	260
213	Quincy	D+	50	17K	719
214	Newport	D+	50	6K	395
215	Zillah	D+	50	4K	240
216	Wellpinit	D+	50	2K	1861
217	Nespelem	D+	50	2K	1984
218	College Place	D	49.2	9K	428
219	Waverly	D	49.2	3K	454
220	Colville	D	49	6K	376
221	Omak	D	48.9	5K	172
222	Stanwood	D	48.2	22K	481
223	Freeland	D	48	14K	3935
224	Cle Elum	D	48	9K	1259
225	Tonasket	D	48	7K	1524
226	Brewster	D	48	5K	408
227	Langley	D	48	2K	186
228	Quinault	D	48	1K	751
229	Burbank	D	48	872	388
230	Walla Walla	D	47.8	49K	1022
231	Pasco	D	47.4	120K	1370
232	Ephrata	D	47.4	10K	299
233	Deer Park	D	47.3	5K	71
234	Union	D	47	5K	529
235	Neah Bay	D	47	1K	763
236	Ellensburg	D	46.9	22K	608
237	Othello	D	46.8	13K	1166
238	Ridgefield	D	46.5	21K	1369
239	Marysville	D	46.2	98K	1045
240	Snohomish	D	46.2	41K	415
241	Wenatchee	D	46	62K	616
242	Aberdeen	D	46	18K	237
243	Napavine	D	46	7K	2238
244	Marshall	D	46	3K	560
245	Republic	D	46	3K	647
246	Darrington	D	46	2K	256
247	Tahola	D	46	2K	951
248	Deming	D	46	854	685
249	Everett	D	45.4	282K	229
250	Chelan	D	45.2	10K	278
251	Forks	D	45	5K	942
252	Lopez Island	F	44.9	2K	229
253	Kent	F	44.4	360K	244
254	Shelton	F	44.1	42K	2891
255	Raymond	F	44	18K	826
256	Eastsound	F	44	5K	525
257	Oakville	F	44	2K	394
258	Friday Harbor	F	43.9	7K	961
259	Bellingham	F	43.5	157K	747
260	Port Angeles	F	43.5	33K	386
261	Kelso	F	43.5	31K	794
262	Oak Harbor	F	43.5	27K	475
263	West Richland	F	43.5	19K	444
264	Chehalis	F	43.4	13K	522
265	Sequim	F	43	29K	1235
266	Gig Harbor	F	43	24K	543
267	Ferndale	F	42.9	25K	1229
268	Poulsbo	F	42.8	65K	1640
269	Wapato	F	42.8	8K	1480
270	Benton City	F	42.8	6K	1357
271	Lynden	F	42.5	28K	1622
272	Woodland	F	42.5	13K	2789
273	Seattle	F	42.3	1.2M	1889
274	Vashon	F	42.3	9K	350
275	Mount Vernon	F	42	149K	1919
276	Arlington	F	42	25K	1630
277	Lacey	F	41.8	129K	1813
278	Loon Lake	F	41.8	18K	972
279	Bothell	F	41.6	91K	293
280	Port Townsend	F	41.3	33K	687
281	Cashmere	F	41.2	10K	422
282	Toppenish	F	41.2	10K	1044
283	Silverdale	F	41.1	63K	358
284	Montesano	F	41	16K	520
285	Yakima	F	40.4	174K	4018
286	Spokane	F	39.2	427K	2463
287	Olympia	F	38.2	125K	1687
288	Coupeville	F	38	25K	4333
289	Moses Lake	F	36.4	37K	2414
290	Port Orchard	F	36.2	94K	10227
291	Kennewick	F	34.8	123K	841
292	Puyallup	F	33.1	98K	949
293	Vancouver	F	32.9	496K	1604
294	Tacoma	F	32.2	628K	2772

Counties

Browse Washington counties

Adams 3 cities · avg 73.1 Asotin 2 cities · avg 90.8 Benton 5 cities · avg 50.4 Chelan 7 cities · avg 66.1 Clallam 5 cities · avg 58.4 Clark 6 cities · avg 64.3 Columbia 1 city · avg 89.1 Cowlitz 5 cities · avg 64.9 Douglas 4 cities · avg 76.3 Ferry 1 city · avg 46 Franklin 3 cities · avg 60.6 Garfield 1 city · avg 82.4 Grant 11 cities · avg 71.5 Grays Harbor 8 cities · avg 58.9 Island 8 cities · avg 59.7 Jefferson 2 cities · avg 54.6 King 33 cities · avg 73.4 Kitsap 7 cities · avg 65.9 Kittitas 7 cities · avg 73.4 Klickitat 5 cities · avg 75.5 Lewis 12 cities · avg 72.9 Lincoln 4 cities · avg 66.8 Mason 5 cities · avg 61.5 Okanogan 11 cities · avg 72.3 Pacific 6 cities · avg 73.5 Pend Oreille 3 cities · avg 75.9 Pierce 25 cities · avg 78.2 San Juan 3 cities · avg 44.3 Skagit 6 cities · avg 80.9 Skamania 3 cities · avg 70.9 Snohomish 17 cities · avg 65.9 Spokane 13 cities · avg 74.5 Stevens 4 cities · avg 65.8 Thurston 9 cities · avg 68.5 Wahkiakum 1 city · avg 62.1 Walla Walla 4 cities · avg 59.9 Whatcom 16 cities · avg 71.7 Whitman 8 cities · avg 81.4 Yakima 13 cities · avg 71

ZIP Codes

Browse Washington by ZIP code

Look up water quality by ZIP code to find the systems serving your area.

View all Washington ZIP codes →

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Washington's water

Is Washington's tap water safe to drink?

Washington's water quality varies by city. The statewide average grade is B- (70.1/100). 56% of cities scored an A or B, while 32% received a D or F. Check your specific city for detailed results.

Which Washington cities have the best water quality?

The top-rated cities are Steilacoom (A+), Asotin (A+), Nas Whidbey Island (A+). These cities scored highest based on violation history, lead levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Which Washington cities have the worst water quality?

The lowest-rated cities are Tacoma (F), Vancouver (F), Puyallup (F). We recommend residents in these areas consider water filtration and review their city's specific contaminant data.

How many Washington cities have PFAS in their water?

74 out of 294 cities tested positive for PFAS "forever chemicals" (25%). 26 cities exceed the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels. Reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters can help reduce PFAS exposure.

Do any Washington cities have dangerous lead levels?

5 cities exceed the EPA lead action level of 15 ppb. Lead contamination typically comes from aging pipes and lead service lines rather than the water source itself. An NSF 53-certified filter can effectively remove lead from tap water.

Washington Water Quality Report