Auburn, WA: 16 Violations — 86/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 15 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water tracked for Auburn by WA authorities posts above-average scores — the majority of systems are free from health-based exceedances and the city's grade sits above the state median.
How Auburn Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Auburn Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 16 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0022 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 49% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,450 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 8.82.
Water Systems Serving Auburn
3 independent water providers serve Auburn, WA — 15 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Auburn, Washington (population ~123,835), covering 15 community water systems serving approximately 667,018 people region-wide.
4 of 4 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Auburn: A (86/100)
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
Auburn water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0022 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 4 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 4 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 5 | 4 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 5 | 4 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98001 | B | 4 | 0 | City of Auburn |
| 98002 | B | 4 | 0 | City of Auburn |
| 98071 | A | 4 | 0 | City of Auburn |
| 98092 | B | 4 | 0 | City of Auburn |
All ZIP Codes in Auburn
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Auburn
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Key Contaminants Detected in Auburn
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Auburn's Housing Stock?
With 49% 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
Housing age is a practical proxy for plumbing risk because federal standards changed in 1986, when lead solder was banned from new residential construction, and again earlier — before 1970, lead pipes were themselves commonly installed. Auburn's median build year of 1983 sits in the range where both pre- and post-1986 homes are well represented. The bar chart above reflects that mixed picture: the distribution captures pockets of older housing alongside more recent development, and those pockets carry real lead risk potential at the individual property level.
Most homes in Auburn 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.
Auburn: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Across Auburn, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in Auburn are relatively low compared to home values. The $950–$2,150 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 15% above the Washington average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Auburn
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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 49% pre-rule share in Auburn keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Auburn
The National Flood Insurance Program captures decades of claims at the local level, building a record of cumulative community flood exposure. For Auburn, that record documents 49 claims and 75% of ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated flood zones. What makes those numbers relevant to water quality is the set of mechanisms flooding activates: heavy precipitation that floods treatment intake zones can introduce contaminants upstream of normal filtration; well casings in low-lying areas can be infiltrated by floodwaters carrying bacteria, sediment, and chemical residue; and distribution system pressure changes during flooding can create backflow conditions. These effects become more probable as flood frequency and magnitude increase — and the NFIP record indicates both are meaningful factors locally.
Auburn has a moderate flood history with 49 FEMA claims averaging $11,260 per payout. 75% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,450</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Auburn, WA