While Spokane avoids WA's lowest safety tiers, a portion of its water systems have logged documented violations.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19

Water Quality in Spokane

We track water quality and home safety data for 29 ZIP codes in Spokane, Washington, covering 13 community water systems serving approximately 389,529 people.

No EPA violations have been recorded across any ZIP codes in Spokane - an excellent indicator of water quality.

Average Home Safety Score: C (68/100)

Water sources: Groundwater.

Lead Risk

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 mg/L
• 64% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 25% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 1969
• Most common estimated pipe material: Galvanized Steel or Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 51/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 19%
• 10 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 64% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Spokane residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.

Housing Age Distribution

166,492 total housing units across 29 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Spokane:

• 33 flood insurance claims on record
• $1,169,392 total paid out
• $35,436 average claim payout
• Dominant FEMA flood zone: X (Low risk)
• 5 of 29 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 29 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

Areas Needing Attention

What Spokane Residents Can Do

Test Your Water

• Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
• Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
• Check your ZIP code - each area in Spokane has different water systems and risk levels

Filter Your Water

• NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
• NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
• Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)

Test for Radon

• Spokane is in a high-risk radon area
• Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
• If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation

Stay Informed

• Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
• Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
• Review the annual water quality report from your local utility

All ZIP Codes in Spokane

• 99201 [B]
• 99202 [B]
• 99203 [B]
• 99204 [B]
• 99205 [C]
• 99206 [B]
• 99207 [B]
• 99208 [B]
• 99209 [C]
• 99210 [B]
• 99211 [C]
• 99212 [B]
• 99213 [C]
• 99214 [C]
• 99215 [C]
• 99216 [C]
• 99217 [B]
• 99218 [B]
• 99219 [C]
• 99220 [C]
• 99223 [B]
• 99224 [B]
• 99228 [C]
• 99251 [C]
• 99252 [C]
• 99256 [C]
• 99258 [C]
• 99260 [C]
• 99299 [C]

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Spokane, WA?

Spokane has an average Home Safety Score of 68/100 (grade C) across 29 ZIP codes. No EPA violations have been recorded. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.

Does Spokane have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across Spokane is 0.0020 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 64% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Spokane at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 33 flood insurance claims in Spokane ZIP codes, with an average payout of $35,436. 5 of 29 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).

Are there lead pipes in Spokane homes?

64% of Spokane housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 25% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Galvanized Steel or Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 19%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

Data Sources

• Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
• Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
• Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
• Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
• Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
• Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Updated daily.

Housing Age Profile

Compared to many older metro areas, Spokane carries a relatively newer housing profile - the median build year of 1969 places most of the stock in the post-1986 era when lead solder was federally banned from new plumbing. That shift meaningfully reduces the baseline likelihood of lead leaching from copper joint solder. Homes from before 1986 do still exist in the mix, however, and individual testing remains the only way to confirm what a specific tap actually delivers.

1969

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Spokane 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.

Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Spokane

0.002

mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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 Spokane 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.

Flood & Climate Risk in Spokane

Flood insurance records under FEMA's NFIP show limited historical flood activity for Spokane. Understanding where a community falls on the exposure spectrum matters for water quality assessment because flooding operates as a compounding hazard: during significant flood events, treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, private wells can be infiltrated by surface runoff, and pressure changes in distribution systems can allow backflow of contaminated water. None of those mechanisms are absent here, but they require event conditions that the current NFIP record suggests have been infrequent.

33

Total FEMA Flood Claims

~2

Est. Claims/Year

Spokane has a relatively low flood history with 33 FEMA claims on record. While risk is limited, severe weather events can still impact water infrastructure.

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.

Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.