CITY REPORT WA

Buckley, WA: 4 Violations — 88/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 10 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03

Buckley'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 Buckley Compares

Buckley88/100
Washington avg78/100
National avg67/100

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

1
ZIP Codes
10
Water Systems
1
ZIPs with Violations
A · 88
Avg Safety Score
Zone 3
Radon Risk (Low)
$524K
Median Home Value
$1,700
Est. Remediation (0.3% of home value)

Key Facts for Buckley Residents

  • Your city's water systems recorded 4 violations in the past 5 years.
  • Average lead level: 0.0024 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 37% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $1,700 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 11.95.

Buckley's Water Providers

Federal records list 10 water systems tied to Buckley, WA. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.

City of Tacoma Water Division
Serves ~448,771 people · 4 violations
88
/100
Bonney Lake Water Department City
Serves ~42,654 people · 4 violations
88
/100
City of Pacific
Serves ~7,925 people · 4 violations
88
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Buckley, Washington (population ~17,601), covering 10 community water systems serving approximately 511,322 people region-wide.

1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Buckley: A (88/100)

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

Buckley water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.

Lead & Copper

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0024 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)

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 8 1

Areas with Most Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score Violations Health-Based System
98321 A 4 0 Bonney Lake Water Department City

All ZIP Codes in Buckley

  • 98321 [A] — 4 violations

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Buckley Community Health Snapshot

10.8%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
10.6%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
18.1%
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 10.8% ↑
Diabetes 10.6% ↑
Mental Health 18.1% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

What's in Buckley's Water?

Surface Water Treatment Rule 8 violations
Treatment Technique
Pathogens may not be adequately removed

Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.

Buckley Infrastructure Age

1997
Median Build Year
37%
Built Before 1986
11%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

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

Roughly balanced between older and newer construction, Buckley shows a median build year of 1997 — a mid-range figure that places meaningful amounts of the residential inventory on both sides of the 1986 federal plumbing-solder ban.

1997
Median Year Built
37%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
11%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (11%) 1970–1986 (26%) Post-1986 (63%)

Most homes in Buckley 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.

How Remediation Costs Compare in Buckley

For most homeowners in Buckley, the estimated cost of water and safety remediation represents a proportionally modest share of what properties are worth — placing this area in the lower tier of the remediation share scale.

Median Home Value
$524,300
Est. Remediation
$1,700
Remediation as % of home value 0.3%

Remediation costs in Buckley are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,100–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 12% above the Washington average.

Buckley: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

37%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.0024
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 37% of Buckley stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.

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

Buckley: Flood History & Water Damage Risk

How does Buckley's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 13 claims — enough to signal recurring events — and 100% of ZIP codes carry FEMA flood zone status. That combination places flooding in the category of factors that can periodically affect water infrastructure, even if the area isn't among the highest-exposure communities in the NFIP dataset.

13
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$12,149
Avg Claim Payout
100%
ZIPs in FEMA Flood Zones
~1
Est. Claims/Year

Buckley has a moderate flood history with 13 FEMA claims averaging $12,149 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>$1,700</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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Buckley, WA?
Buckley has an average water safety score of 88/100 (Grade A). 4 EPA violations have been recorded. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How many water violations does Buckley have?
Buckley water systems have a total of 4 EPA violations. Violations are tracked across 1 ZIP code.
Does Buckley water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Buckley is 0.0024 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home — testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How does Buckley compare to Washington average?
Buckley has an average water safety score of 88/100, which is above the Washington state average of 78/100.
How many water systems serve Buckley?
Buckley is served by 10 public water systems across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 17,601 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Buckley?
Estimated remediation costs in Buckley average $1,700 per household, ranging from $1,100 to $2,600. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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