Ilwaco, WA: Lead Above EPA Limits — 70/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Ilwaco, safety indicators for tap water remain above the WA median — documented violations are infrequent and the city's compliance record sits in the upper tier.
How Ilwaco Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Ilwaco Water
- Average lead level: 0.026 mg/L — exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 71% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $5,460 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.07 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Ilwaco
Throughout Ilwaco, WA, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 3 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Ilwaco, Washington (population ~1,645), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 9,774 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Ilwaco — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Ilwaco: B (70/100)
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
Ilwaco water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0260 mg/L (exceeds EPA action level) (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 1 ZIP code 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 98624 | B | City of Ilwaco Water Department | 2,757 |
All ZIP Codes in Ilwaco
- 98624 [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 Ilwaco
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 Ilwaco
With 71% 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
The character of Ilwaco's housing stock is one of deep historical layering — a median build year of 1975 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in Ilwaco 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 Ilwaco Homeowners
Property equity in Ilwaco sits at a moderate ratio to estimated remediation costs — a classification that reframes the household financial perspective from routine maintenance to deliberate budgeting, where most homeowners have a realistic path to addressing documented water and safety issues if they map the financial commitment against available resources before committing to scope.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Ilwaco. The estimated $3,640–$7,480 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 29% below the Washington average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Ilwaco
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.
Locally in Ilwaco, 71% of housing comes from before the solder rule, and citywide monitoring has crossed the federal action mark. That joint signal keeps in-home tests and certified filtration at a household-level priority, particularly where small kids are present.
<strong>1 ZIP code</strong> (100% of the city) exceeds the EPA lead action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Ilwaco
The NFIP claim record for Ilwaco — 9 filed incidents — reflects genuine, recurring flood exposure rather than an isolated event or two. When a community accumulates flood claims at this volume and carries 100% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated zones, flood history starts to factor into water quality planning in ways it doesn't for lower-exposure areas. Flooding introduces specific contamination pathways — runoff overwhelming treatment facility intake, surface water infiltrating private wells, and pressure disruptions in distribution systems allowing backflow — all of which become more relevant as flood frequency increases.
Ilwaco has a moderate flood history with 9 FEMA claims averaging $1,870 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>$5,460</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 Ilwaco, WA