Riverside, WA: 17 Violations — 59/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike higher-rated cities in WA, Riverside carries a fair number of documented violations — the pattern of compliance gaps keeps the city in the middle tier of EPA safety rankings.
How Riverside Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Riverside Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 17 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 52% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.12 — above typical levels.
Riverside's Water Providers
As of current federal records, Riverside, WA is served primarily by one water utility among 1 tracked system. That single provider handles infrastructure investment, rate adjustments, and regulatory reporting under EPA oversight.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Riverside, Washington, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,123 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Riverside: C (59/100)
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
Riverside water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0002 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 22 | 1 |
| Barium | Inorganic | 6 | 1 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 4 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98849 | C | 17 | 0 | Riverside Town of |
All ZIP Codes in Riverside
- 98849 [C] — 17 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.
Riverside 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 Riverside's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Riverside Infrastructure Age
With 52% 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
Because the majority of Riverside's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1986 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Riverside 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Riverside
Given current Riverside valuations, the remediation-to-property-value ratio is low — most homeowners are looking at a proportionally modest share that fits within routine financial planning.
Remediation costs in Riverside are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,600–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 48% below the Washington average.
Riverside: 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.
Routinely in Riverside, where 52% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Riverside: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Riverside has accumulated 2 claims — a total that suggests more than isolated flood exposure. With 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones, the water-quality implications of flooding move from hypothetical to periodically relevant: treatment intake can be compromised, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution backflow can occur.
Riverside has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims averaging $3,648 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>$2,400</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.
What You Can Do in Riverside
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Consumer Confidence Report Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Riverside's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 52% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Riverside, WA