Burlington, WA Water Safety: 77/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Tap water monitoring data for Burlington shows a consistently clean picture in WA — few violations on record, compliance well above the median.
How Burlington Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Burlington Water
- Homes built before 1986: 54% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,300 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.43 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Burlington
In Burlington, WA, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 4 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Burlington, Washington (population ~17,703), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 114,139 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Burlington — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Burlington: B (77/100)
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 |
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Burlington
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 98233 | B | Samish River Park, Inc. | 227 |
All ZIP Codes in Burlington
- 98233 [B]
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 Burlington
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 Burlington
With 54% 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, Burlington is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1987 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Burlington 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 Burlington Homeowners
When remediation costs are measured against Burlington 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 Burlington are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,500–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 0% above the Washington average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Burlington
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 54% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Burlington.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Burlington
Multiple flood events have been recorded for Burlington through the NFIP — 129 claims in total, with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones — pointing to a flood exposure profile that merits inclusion in a water quality assessment without reaching high-severity planning territory.
Burlington has a moderate flood history with 129 FEMA claims averaging $24,103 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>$2,300</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 Burlington, WA