Bellevue, WA Water Safety: 84/100 (2026)
7 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water tracked for Bellevue 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 Bellevue Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Bellevue, WA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Bellevue score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Bellevue Water
- Homes built before 1986: 62% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,320 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 8.82.
Who Supplies Your Water in Bellevue
Federal drinking water records identify 7 systems in Bellevue, WA. The leading 3 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 7 ZIP codes in Bellevue, Washington (population ~156,110), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 718,684 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Bellevue — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Bellevue: B (84/100)
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
Bellevue water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Bellevue
- 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): 7 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 98004 | B | City of Bellevue | 317,330 |
| 98005 | A | City of Bellevue | 317,330 |
| 98006 | B | City of Bellevue | 317,330 |
| 98007 | B | City of Bellevue | 317,330 |
| 98008 | B | City of Bellevue | 317,330 |
| 98009 | A | City of Bellevue | 317,330 |
| 98015 | A | City of Bellevue | 317,330 |
All ZIP Codes in Bellevue
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.
Health Outcomes in Bellevue
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Bellevue
With 62% 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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Bellevue is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1973 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Bellevue were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Bellevue Homeowners
When remediation costs are measured against Bellevue home values, the resulting ratio is in the low tier — addressing documented water and safety issues here claims only a minor fraction of typical equity, and most homeowners are in a position where the financial commitment is straightforward rather than a material burden on their household budget.
Remediation costs in Bellevue are relatively low compared to home values. The $880–$1,940 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 164% above the Washington average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Bellevue
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.
Practically, the structural drivers in Bellevue — 62% pre-rule stock and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory benchmark — make an in-home draw the practical way to translate aggregate averages into the specific conditions at one address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Bellevue
Flood exposure in Bellevue is meaningful by NFIP measures — 77 claims on record and 71% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. That level of activity makes flood history a relevant factor when evaluating local water quality over time.
Bellevue has a moderate flood history with 77 FEMA claims averaging $10,045 per payout. 71% 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>$1,320</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 Bellevue, WA