Moses Lake, WA: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 50/100
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Moses Lake: D.
Several federal signals point to home-safety risks in this ZIP.
If you're researching Moses Lake, WA tap water quality, the baseline finding is below average - health-based violations are documented in several service areas, and verifying the specific system at your address is the right next step.
How Moses Lake Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Moses Lake Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 57 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0131 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 48% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.63 - above typical levels.
Moses Lake's Water Providers
In Moses Lake, WA, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 5 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
- D
- D
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Moses Lake, Washington, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 47,399 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Moses Lake: D (50/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Moses Lake water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0131 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Inorganic | 16 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 6 | 1 |
| PFOA | PFAS | 4 | 1 |
| PFNA | PFAS | 4 | 1 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98837 | D | 57 | 0 | City of Moses Lake |
All ZIP Codes in Moses Lake
- 98837 [D] - 57 violations
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Moses Lake 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 Moses Lake's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Moses Lake Infrastructure Age
With 48% 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
Some cities skew heavily toward one construction era; Moses Lake does not. The median build year of 1982 reflects a housing stock where older and newer homes share the market in meaningful proportions. That mixed profile means the city carries moderate aggregate plumbing-era risk - with older homes, particularly those built before 1986, representing the portion of the stock where lead-soldered joints may still be present.
Most homes in Moses Lake 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 Moses Lake
When remediation costs are measured against Moses Lake 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 Moses Lake are relatively low compared to home values. The $400–$1,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 38% below the Washington average.
Moses Lake: 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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 48% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Moses Lake.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Moses Lake
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Lead can reduce the most common contaminant found in Moses Lake's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 48% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Moses Lake, WA