Puyallup, WA: 30 Violations — 88/100 (2026)
5 ZIP codes · 13 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Puyallup's tap water quality puts it in WA's upper tier — health-based violations are rare and the compliance record is consistently above average.
How Puyallup Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Puyallup, WA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Puyallup's 5 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Puyallup Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 30 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0017 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 41% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,040 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.95.
Puyallup's Water Providers
Federal drinking water records identify 13 systems in Puyallup, WA. The leading 3 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 5 ZIP codes in Puyallup, Washington (population ~159,553), covering 13 community water systems serving approximately 765,696 people region-wide.
5 of 5 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Puyallup: A (88/100)
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
Puyallup water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0017 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 5 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 24 | 5 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 6 | 5 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 5 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98371 | B | 6 | 0 | City of Puyallup |
| 98372 | A | 6 | 0 | City of Puyallup |
| 98373 | A | 6 | 0 | City of Puyallup |
| 98374 | A | 6 | 0 | City of Puyallup |
| 98375 | A | 6 | 0 | Firgrove Mutual Inc. |
All ZIP Codes in Puyallup
- 98371 [B] — 6 violations
- 98372 [A] — 6 violations
- 98373 [A] — 6 violations
- 98374 [A] — 6 violations
- 98375 [A] — 6 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
Updated daily.
Puyallup 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 Puyallup's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Puyallup Infrastructure Age
With 41% 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
Two regulatory milestones define plumbing-era risk in residential housing: 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines, and 1986, when lead solder was banned from new copper plumbing. A median build year of 1991 places Puyallup in the middle zone between those thresholds — with a meaningful share of housing predating both cutoffs. The distribution shown above breaks out those eras explicitly, clarifying where concentrated risk sits across the residential inventory.
Most homes in Puyallup 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 Puyallup
Placing remediation in the context of Puyallup's property market, the equity share is low — most homeowners here are weighing a financial commitment that fits comfortably within routine property planning, far from the threshold where remediation becomes a material equity decision rather than a standard upkeep consideration.
Remediation costs in Puyallup are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,360–$2,880 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 10% above the Washington average.
Puyallup: 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.
Practically, the structural drivers in Puyallup — 41% pre-rule stock and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory benchmark — make an in-home draw the practical way to translate aggregate averages into the specific conditions at one address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Puyallup: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood exposure in Puyallup is meaningful by NFIP measures — 169 claims on record and 100% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. That level of activity makes flood history a relevant factor when evaluating local water quality over time.
Puyallup has a moderate flood history with 169 FEMA claims averaging $22,154 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>$2,040</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 Puyallup, WA