Bothell, WA: 16 Violations — 84/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Bothell hold a strong EPA compliance record — the city places among the better-performing areas in WA with few health-based violations on file.
How Bothell Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Bothell Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 16 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 33% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,567 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 9.78.
Water Systems Serving Bothell
3 water utilities share the residential service territory in Bothell, WA — out of 7 total systems in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Bothell, Washington (population ~139,818), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 478,714 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 Bothell: 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
Bothell water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Bothell
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 4 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 5 | 4 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 5 | 4 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98011 | B | 4 | 0 | City of Bothell Water |
| 98012 | B | 4 | 0 | Silver Lake Water & Sewer District |
| 98021 | B | 4 | 0 | City of Bothell Water |
| 98041 | A | 4 | 0 | Silver Lake Water & Sewer District |
All ZIP Codes in Bothell
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 Bothell
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 Bothell
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Bothell's Housing Stock?
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
For a city with a median build year of 1994, Bothell carries a housing profile that straddles the 1986 federal ban on lead solder in plumbing. Neither predominantly new nor predominantly old, the stock presents a moderate aggregate risk environment — with individual risk varying sharply depending on when and where a specific home was built.
Most homes in Bothell 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.
Bothell: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Within the Bothell market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity — the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Bothell are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,033–$2,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 90% above the Washington average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Bothell
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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 33% of Bothell stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Bothell
Flood history in Bothell spans 24 NFIP claims and 75% flood zone coverage — enough to place it in moderate-exposure territory where flood events are genuinely recurring rather than statistical outliers. That distinction matters for water quality assessment because the connection between flooding and water safety is not uniform across communities. In low-exposure areas, flooding rarely generates the conditions needed to compromise treatment or distribution infrastructure. In high-exposure areas, it can do so repeatedly. Moderate-exposure communities sit in between: flood events occur with enough frequency to make periodic infrastructure stress a reasonable concern, particularly for private well owners and residents in lower-elevation FEMA-designated zones.
Bothell has a moderate flood history with 24 FEMA claims averaging $15,017 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>$1,567</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 Bothell, WA