Port Townsend, WA: 3 Violations - Home Safety 99/100
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Port Townsend: A.
Checked records flag no major concern; missing data is unknown.
Based on available records, Port Townsend, WA holds an A or B ZipCheckup grade.
How Port Townsend Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Port Townsend Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 3 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.003 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 49% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $500 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 13.78.
Who Supplies Your Water in Port Townsend
Among 5 systems linked to Port Townsend, WA, the 3 biggest by population served appear below.
- A
- A
- A
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Port Townsend, Washington (population ~17,401), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 33,075 people region-wide. 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 Port Townsend: A (99/100)
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
Port Townsend water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0030 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
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 3.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 6 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98368 | A | 3 | 0 | City of Port Townsend |
All ZIP Codes in Port Townsend
- 98368 [A] - 3 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.
Health Outcomes in Port Townsend
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Top Contaminants in Port Townsend Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Port Townsend
With 49% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Homes on the same street in Port Townsend can differ: one may keep original pre-1986 plumbing while another has been replumbed, so the 1983 median is only a starting point.
Most homes in Port Townsend were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Port Townsend Homeowners
Low tier for Port Townsend: remediation estimated at up to 1% of what homes are worth.
Estimated remediation costs in Port Townsend can be compared with local home values. The $300–$800 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 10% above the Washington average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Port Townsend
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Port Townsend
Historical NFIP data for Port Townsend contains 14 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $8,153. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The $500 remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Port Townsend, WA