Water Quality in Pasco, WA: 26 Violations — Grade B
Grade B · Score 80/100 · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-05-03
Pasco's water is mostly safe. Minor violations exist but are primarily monitoring-related.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-05-03
According to EPA filings, Pasco, WA has 26 water compliance violations on record — sourced from SDWIS, the federal database that tracks reportable events for every registered public water system in the state.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Pasco
Water quality varies across Pasco's 2 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99302 | B | 79 | 13 | 3 | View report → |
| 99301 | B | 80 | 13 | 3 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Pasco.
Water Quality Overview
Pasco, Washington receives a water quality grade of B with an overall score of 80 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
The 5 water systems serving Pasco have accumulated 26 EPA violations, including 6 health-based violations. These violations are tracked across 2 ZIP codes serving approximately 118,601 people.
What Grade B Means
A grade of B indicates good compliance with EPA drinking water standards. While not perfect, Pasco's water systems meet the vast majority of federal requirements. Minor violations may exist but typically relate to monitoring or reporting rather than health-based standards.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Pasco water systems is 0.0019 mg/L — within EPA limits. No ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.
Radon Risk
Pasco is in EPA Radon Zone 2 (Moderate risk). Testing is recommended, especially for homes with basements or ground-level living spaces.
Water Systems Serving Pasco
Pasco is served by 5 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 118,601 people across 2 ZIP codes.
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
The EPA has taken 20 enforcement actions against water systems serving Pasco. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Pasco
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
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 Pasco Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Pasco's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickel | Inorganic | 0.1 mg/L | 10 | 2 | Yes |
| Total Organic Carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | N/A | 8 | 2 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 4 | 2 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 0.015 mg/L | 2 | 2 | Yes |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Pasco:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 2 |
| 2024 | 4 | 4 |
Violations have increased from 2 in 2022 to 4 in 2024. This trend warrants monitoring.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 10 enforcement actions against water systems serving Pasco. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2024-08-08 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-12-26 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-10-25 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-08-29 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-01-19 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-01-17 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-01-12 | State Order Extension |
| 2022-10-26 | State Order Extension |
| 2022-10-19 | State Order Extension |
| 2022-10-01 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2024-08-08.
Pasco vs. Nearby Washington Cities
How Pasco's water quality compares to similar cities in Washington:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pasco | B | 26 | 5 | 118,601 |
| Federal Way | A | 12 | 1 | 118,273 |
| Lacey | A | 0 | 5 | 119,607 |
| Olympia | A | 22 | 5 | 120,251 |
Recommended Water Filters for Pasco
Based on contaminants detected in Pasco's water supply, these filter types are recommended:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, under-sink or whole-house)
- Removes: Haloacetic Acid HAA5
- Effectiveness: 60-80%
- Cost range: $100–$600
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
- Recommended products:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house POE)
- Removes: Trihalomethane (TTHM)
- Effectiveness: 80-99%
- Cost range: $400–$2000
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
- Recommended products:
Common Questions About Pasco Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Pasco, Washington:
Is Pasco water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Pasco's 5 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Pasco tap water? Pasco's water receives a grade of B (80/100). There are 6 health-based violations — consider filtration.
What is the best water filter for Pasco? Based on detected contaminants, a granular activated carbon (gac, under-sink or whole-house) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Pasco vs. Washington Average
Understanding how Pasco 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 Pasco.
ZIP Codes in Pasco
Pasco spans 2 ZIP codes. The ZIP with the lowest water quality score is 99301. Each ZIP code has its own water quality profile based on the specific water system serving that area. 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
Updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Water is Safe — Here's How to Keep It That Way
Grade B is excellent news. Here's what proactive homeowners do to maintain water quality:
Annual Water Testing
EPA recommends annual testing even with clean water. Home test kits: $20-$50. Catches changes before they become problems.
Maintenance Filtration
A basic carbon filter removes chlorine taste and catches emerging contaminants like PFAS that aren't yet fully regulated.
Plumbing Check
Even safe city water picks up lead from home pipes. If your home was built before 1986, a one-time pipe inspection is recommended.