Bellingham, WA: 10 Violations — 89/100 (2026)
5 ZIP codes · 13 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Bellingham's tap water quality puts it in WA's upper tier — health-based violations are rare and the compliance record is consistently above average.
How Bellingham Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Bellingham, WA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Bellingham.
Bellingham Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 10 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0034 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 49% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,940 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.72.
Water Systems Serving Bellingham
With 3 utilities splitting service in Bellingham, WA, water accountability is distributed across 13 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 5 ZIP codes in Bellingham, Washington (population ~130,013), covering 13 community water systems serving approximately 295,341 people region-wide.
5 of 5 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Bellingham: A (89/100)
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
Bellingham water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0034 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): 5 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 6 | 5 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 5 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98225 | A | 2 | 0 | City of Bellingham-water Division |
| 98226 | B | 2 | 0 | City of Bellingham-water Division |
| 98227 | A | 2 | 0 | City of Bellingham-water Division |
| 98228 | A | 2 | 0 | City of Bellingham-water Division |
| 98229 | A | 2 | 0 | City of Bellingham-water Division |
All ZIP Codes in Bellingham
- 98225 [A] — 2 violations
- 98226 [B] — 2 violations
- 98227 [A] — 2 violations
- 98228 [A] — 2 violations
- 98229 [A] — 2 violations
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 Bellingham
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 Bellingham
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Bellingham'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
Lead solder was a standard plumbing material before 1986, when federal law prohibited its use in new residential construction. In Bellingham, the median build year of 1985 indicates that plumbing age is a material factor in local lead risk — with the pre-1986 share concentrated in specific neighborhoods and building types where older construction remains common.
Most homes in Bellingham 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.
Bellingham: Remediation Cost in Perspective
At current valuations, Bellingham sits in the low remediation-share tier — the equity impact of fixing documented issues is proportionally minor.
Remediation costs in Bellingham are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,340–$2,980 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 22% above the Washington average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Bellingham
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.
Despite citywide averages serving as the standard public reference point, those aggregates cannot resolve what is happening at one specific faucet — and where 49% of Bellingham homes come from before the solder rule or where utility samples sit at or above the action mark, the gap between system data and faucet reality matters more than it does in lower-exposure communities. An in-home draw closes that gap, with certified filtration through retailer networks available where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Bellingham
100% of ZIP codes in Bellingham are mapped into FEMA-designated flood zones, and the NFIP records 122 claims reflecting a multi-event flood history. That combination places local flood exposure in the range where water-quality implications deserve at least periodic attention.
Bellingham has a moderate flood history with 122 FEMA claims averaging $37,228 per payout. 100% 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>$1,940</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 Bellingham, WA