Seattle, WA: 62 Violations — 95/100 (2026)
62 ZIP codes · 10 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current monitoring, Seattle holds an above-average drinking water safety record for WA — violations are infrequent and typically minor when they do appear.
How Seattle Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Seattle, WA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Seattle's 62 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Seattle Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 62 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0035 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,347 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 8.88.
Seattle's Water Providers
Water supply in Seattle, WA follows a divided structure: 3 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 10 total systems, each managing its own distribution network and EPA reporting. Because these systems operate independently, rate decisions and compliance outcomes are determined separately.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 62 ZIP codes in Seattle, Washington (population ~994,393), covering 10 community water systems serving approximately 1,773,578 people region-wide.
62 of 62 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Seattle: A (95/100)
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
Seattle water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0035 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): 62 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 63 | 62 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98101 | A | 1 | 0 | Seattle Public Utilities |
| 98102 | A | 1 | 0 | Seattle Public Utilities |
| 98103 | A | 1 | 0 | Seattle Public Utilities |
| 98104 | A | 1 | 0 | Seattle Public Utilities |
| 98105 | A | 1 | 0 | Seattle Public Utilities |
| 98106 | A | 1 | 0 | Seattle Public Utilities |
| 98107 | A | 1 | 0 | Seattle Public Utilities |
| 98108 | A | 1 | 0 | Seattle Public Utilities |
| 98109 | A | 1 | 0 | Seattle Public Utilities |
| 98111 | A | 1 | 0 | Seattle Public Utilities |
All ZIP Codes in Seattle
- 98101 [A] — 1 violation
- 98102 [A] — 1 violation
- 98103 [A] — 1 violation
- 98104 [A] — 1 violation
- 98105 [A] — 1 violation
- 98106 [A] — 1 violation
- 98107 [A] — 1 violation
- 98108 [A] — 1 violation
- 98109 [A] — 1 violation
- 98111 [A] — 1 violation
- 98112 [A] — 1 violation
- 98113 [A] — 1 violation
- 98114 [A] — 1 violation
- 98115 [A] — 1 violation
- 98116 [A] — 1 violation
- 98117 [A] — 1 violation
- 98118 [A] — 1 violation
- 98119 [A] — 1 violation
- 98121 [A] — 1 violation
- 98122 [A] — 1 violation
- 98124 [A] — 1 violation
- 98125 [A] — 1 violation
- 98126 [A] — 1 violation
- 98127 [A] — 1 violation
- 98129 [A] — 1 violation
- 98131 [A] — 1 violation
- 98132 [A] — 1 violation
- 98133 [A] — 1 violation
- 98134 [A] — 1 violation
- 98136 [A] — 1 violation
- 98138 [A] — 1 violation
- 98139 [A] — 1 violation
- 98141 [A] — 1 violation
- 98144 [A] — 1 violation
- 98145 [A] — 1 violation
- 98146 [A] — 1 violation
- 98148 [A] — 1 violation
- 98154 [A] — 1 violation
- 98155 [A] — 1 violation
- 98158 [A] — 1 violation
- 98160 [A] — 1 violation
- 98161 [A] — 1 violation
- 98164 [A] — 1 violation
- 98165 [A] — 1 violation
- 98166 [A] — 1 violation
- 98168 [A] — 1 violation
- 98170 [A] — 1 violation
- 98171 [A] — 1 violation
- 98174 [A] — 1 violation
- 98175 [A] — 1 violation
- 98177 [A] — 1 violation
- 98178 [A] — 1 violation
- 98181 [A] — 1 violation
- 98185 [A] — 1 violation
- 98188 [A] — 1 violation
- 98189 [A] — 1 violation
- 98190 [A] — 1 violation
- 98191 [A] — 1 violation
- 98194 [A] — 1 violation
- 98195 [A] — 1 violation
- 98198 [A] — 1 violation
- 98199 [A] — 1 violation
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.
Seattle 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 Seattle's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Seattle
How much of a Seattle home's value does documented remediation represent? A small fraction — the equity share here is in the low tier, and from a household financial perspective, most property owners are considering a commitment that fits comfortably within standard planning rather than a decision that rises to the level of a material budget event or significant equity consideration.
Remediation costs in Seattle are relatively low compared to home values. The $900–$2,006 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 70% above the Washington average.
Seattle: 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.
Lead risk in Seattle appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Seattle: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Taken together, Seattle's 485 NFIP flood insurance claims and 52% FEMA flood zone coverage place it in the moderate range of exposure. That middle position has specific implications for water quality. The contamination pathways that flooding can open — surface water overwhelming treatment facility intake, floodwaters infiltrating private wells, distribution pressure changes creating backflow — are not constant risks in a moderate-exposure community. But they do become active during significant flood events, and the claim record here indicates enough of those events to make flood timing an occasional factor in local water quality conversations.
Seattle has a moderate flood history with 485 FEMA claims averaging $13,710 per payout. 52% 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>$1,347</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 Seattle, WA