Federal Way, WA: 12 Violations — 92/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
The water systems supplying Federal Way show a track record of above-average compliance with federal standards — consistently among the better performers in WA.
How Federal Way Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Federal Way Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 12 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0011 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 8.82.
Federal Way's Water Providers
Residential addresses in Federal Way, WA are served by 3 primary water providers out of 3 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Federal Way, Washington (population ~101,803), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 682,994 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 Federal Way: A (92/100)
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
Federal Way water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0011 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): 4 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barium | Inorganic | 5 | 4 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 5 | 4 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 5 | 4 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98003 | A | 3 | 0 | Lakehaven Water and Sewer District |
| 98023 | A | 3 | 0 | Lakehaven Water and Sewer District |
| 98063 | A | 3 | 0 | Lakehaven Water and Sewer District |
| 98093 | A | 3 | 0 | Lakehaven Water and Sewer District |
All ZIP Codes in Federal Way
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.
Federal Way Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Federal Way's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Federal Way
Setting Federal Way remediation figures against its property market, the resulting ratio sits comfortably in the low tier — a classification that reflects the kind of household financial position where most homeowners can identify documented issues, schedule the work, and absorb the cost without it registering as a significant budget disruption.
Remediation costs in Federal Way are relatively low compared to home values. The $933–$2,000 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 17% above the Washington average.
Federal Way: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Lead risk in Federal Way appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Federal Way: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood activity in Federal Way is neither negligible nor at the level of the highest-exposure areas in the NFIP dataset. The 23-claim record and 50% flood zone coverage suggest a community that has experienced recurrent events but has not faced the kind of sustained, severe exposure where water-supply contamination becomes a primary public health concern. It sits in a middle range where flood history merits inclusion in any complete local water quality picture.
Federal Way has a moderate flood history with 23 FEMA claims averaging $5,438 per payout. 50% 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>$1,400</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 Federal Way, WA