Saint John, WA Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Systems across Saint John show elevated violation counts against WA benchmarks — the low safety grade reflects that ongoing compliance pattern.
How Saint John Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Saint John Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 81% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 9.94.
Water Systems Serving Saint John
With one provider handling most of Saint John's residential supply in WA, water service accountability is concentrated in a single utility among the 1 system on record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Saint John, Washington, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 991 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Saint John — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Saint John: D (53/100)
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
Saint John water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Saint John
- 0 ZIP codes 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99171 | D | ENDICOTT WATER DEPT | 488 |
All ZIP Codes in Saint John
- 99171 [D]
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.
CDC Health Data for Saint John
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
How Old Is Saint John's Housing Stock?
With 81% 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
While newer cities carry lower aggregate plumbing risk from lead-era construction, Saint John sits firmly in the older category. The median build year of 1957 indicates that more than half the housing stock was built before 1986, when lead solder was still legally used in residential copper plumbing — and a substantial portion likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines. These two thresholds together define the elevated plumbing risk environment that older housing cities carry, independent of what the municipal water supply delivers to the meter.
Over half of homes in Saint John 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.
Saint John: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Saint John, property values comfortably outpace what documented remediation typically costs — the equity share is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Saint John are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 55% below the Washington average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Saint John
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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 81% of Saint John stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Saint John
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 81% 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 Saint John, WA