CITY REPORT WA

Amboy, WA: High Radon Risk — 40/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03

Although conditions vary by service area, Amboy's water systems collectively show below-average compliance within WA — health-based violations are documented throughout the city, and the overall grade reflects a pattern rather than isolated incidents.

How Amboy Compares

Amboy40/100
Washington avg78/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
3
Water Systems
0
ZIPs with Violations
D · 40
Avg Safety Score
Zone 1
Radon Risk (High)
$517K
Median Home Value
$1,800
Est. Remediation (0.4% of home value)

Amboy Water: The Quick Version

  • Homes built before 1986: 42% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 11.85.

Water Systems Serving Amboy

3 water systems are tracked federally in Amboy, WA. The top 3 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.

Clark Public Utilities
Serves ~116,876 people
40
/100
Yacolt
Serves ~3,034 people
40
/100
LARCH CORRECTIONS CENTER
Serves ~705 people
40
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Amboy, Washington (population ~2,742), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 120,615 people region-wide.

No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Amboy — an excellent indicator of water quality.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Amboy: D (40/100)

The score combines three factors:

Factor What It Measures
Water Quality EPA violations and compliance history
Lead Levels 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level
Radon Risk EPA radon zone classification

Water Sources

Amboy water systems draw from: Groundwater.

Lead & Copper

  • Lead data: not yet available for Amboy
  • 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Areas with No Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score System Population
98601 D Clark Public Utilities 116,876

All ZIP Codes in Amboy

Data Sources

Updated daily.

CDC Health Data for Amboy

11.6%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
9.6%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
18.2%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 11.6% ↑
Diabetes 9.6% ↓
Mental Health 18.2% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

How Old Is Amboy's Housing Stock?

1997
Median Build Year
42%
Built Before 1986
13%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 42% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

Housing Age Profile

Over the decades, Amboy accumulated housing from multiple construction periods. The median build year of 1997 places the midpoint of that stock near the 1986 threshold when lead solder in plumbing became federally prohibited — leaving a sizable share of homes on each side of that safety line.

1997
Median Year Built
42%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
13%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (13%) 1970–1986 (29%) Post-1986 (58%)

Most homes in Amboy were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Amboy: Remediation Cost in Perspective

Low proportionality — that's the Amboy picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.

Median Home Value
$517,300
Est. Remediation
$1,800
Remediation as % of home value 0.4%

Remediation costs in Amboy are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$2,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 11% above the Washington average.

Protecting Children from Lead in Amboy

42%
Homes Built Before 1986

Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.

Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 42% of the Amboy inventory was built in that earlier era — a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

What You Can Do in Amboy

  1. Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
  2. Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
  3. Check your home's plumbing. With 42% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
  4. Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Amboy, WA?
Amboy has an average water safety score of 40/100 (Grade D). No EPA violations on record. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How does Amboy compare to Washington average?
Amboy has an average water safety score of 40/100, which is below the Washington state average of 78/100.
How many water systems serve Amboy?
Amboy is served by 3 public water systems across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 2,742 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Amboy?
Estimated remediation costs in Amboy average $1,800 per household, ranging from $1,200 to $2,300. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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