Water Quality in Federal Way, WA: 1 Water-System Violation on Record
3 water systems · 2 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 1 violations across 2 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Federal Way. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Federal Way
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 98003 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 98023 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Federal Way, Washington has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 2 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 1 violation (all classified as monitoring/reporting type in the available record) across 2 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Federal Way is 0.0033 mg/L; the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to a water system's own 90th-percentile result and is not a safety threshold (EPA's health goal for lead is zero). No exceedances appear among the 2 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 57% of homes built before 1986, Federal Way has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Federal Way
Federal Way is served by 3 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. About 101,803 people live in the area (4 ZIP codes, Census); this is not the systems' reported service population.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
EPA records list 2 enforcement actions against water systems serving Federal Way. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Federal Way
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Federal Way Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Federal Way's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 2 | 2 | No |
The standard column shows the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) except for lead and copper, whose value is an action level that triggers corrective steps and is not an MCL. Health-based violations are MCL, MRDL and treatment-technique violations.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 1 enforcement action against water systems serving Federal Way. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2022-12-08 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2022-12-08.
Federal Way vs. Nearby Washington Cities
How Federal Way's water quality compares to similar cities in Washington:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Way | 2 | 1 | 3 | 101,803 |
| Redmond | 2 | 2 | 7 | 101,912 |
| Kennewick | 3 | 45 | 7 | 103,495 |
| Bremerton | 5 | 11 | 9 | 93,620 |
Common Questions About Federal Way Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Federal Way, Washington:
Is Federal Way water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Federal Way's 3 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Federal Way tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. No health-based violations are recorded across 2 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts, but this is not a property-level safety guarantee.
What is the best water filter for Federal Way? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Federal Way vs. Washington Average
Understanding how Federal Way compares to the broader Washington average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Federal Way.
ZIP Codes in Federal Way
Federal Way spans 4 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 2 directly mapped ZIP codes. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.