How does Tacoma tap water hold up under EPA scrutiny? Above average for WA - documented violations are uncommon and the safety grade reflects a clean overall record.

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

Water Quality in Tacoma

We track water quality and home safety data for 38 ZIP codes in Tacoma, Washington (population ~364,667), covering 12 community water systems serving approximately 861,997 people region-wide.

38 of 38 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 76 total, including no health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: A (94/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Lead Risk

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 mg/L
• 63% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 26% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 1968
• Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 43/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 18%
• 9 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 63% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Tacoma 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

146,883 total housing units across 38 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Tacoma:

• 399 flood insurance claims on record
• $8,200,958 total paid out
• $20,554 average claim payout
• Dominant FEMA flood zone: C (Low risk)
• 7 of 38 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 38 ZIP codes

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

Areas Needing Attention

What Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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)

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 Tacoma

• 98401 [A] - 2 violations
• 98402 [A] - 2 violations
• 98403 [A] - 2 violations
• 98404 [A] - 2 violations
• 98405 [A] - 2 violations
• 98406 [A] - 2 violations
• 98407 [A] - 2 violations
• 98408 [A] - 2 violations
• 98409 [A] - 2 violations
• 98411 [A] - 2 violations
• 98412 [A] - 2 violations
• 98413 [A] - 2 violations
• 98415 [A] - 2 violations
• 98416 [A] - 2 violations
• 98417 [A] - 2 violations
• 98418 [A] - 2 violations
• 98419 [A] - 2 violations
• 98421 [A] - 2 violations
• 98422 [A] - 2 violations
• 98424 [A] - 2 violations
• 98431 [A] - 2 violations
• 98433 [A] - 2 violations
• 98442 [A] - 2 violations
• 98443 [B] - 2 violations
• 98444 [A] - 2 violations
• 98445 [A] - 2 violations
• 98446 [A] - 2 violations
• 98447 [A] - 2 violations
• 98448 [A] - 2 violations
• 98455 [A] - 2 violations
• 98460 [A] - 2 violations
• 98464 [A] - 2 violations
• 98465 [A] - 2 violations
• 98466 [A] - 2 violations
• 98471 [A] - 2 violations
• 98481 [A] - 2 violations
• 98490 [A] - 2 violations
• 98493 [A] - 2 violations

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Tacoma has an average Home Safety Score of 94/100 (grade A) across 38 ZIP codes. There are 76 recorded EPA violations, 0 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.

Does Tacoma have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across Tacoma is 0.0010 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 63% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Tacoma at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 399 flood insurance claims in Tacoma ZIP codes, with an average payout of $20,554. 7 of 38 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).

Are there lead pipes in Tacoma homes?

63% of Tacoma housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 26% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 18%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in Tacoma water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are Lead, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5). Across 38 ZIP codes, 38 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

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, Tacoma carries a relatively newer housing profile - the median build year of 1968 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.

1968

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Tacoma 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.

Protecting Children from Lead in Tacoma

0.001

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 Tacoma 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.

Climate-Related Water Risk for Tacoma

The National Flood Insurance Program captures decades of claims at the local level, building a record of cumulative community flood exposure. For Tacoma, that record documents 399 claims and 0% of ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated flood zones. What makes those numbers relevant to water quality is the set of mechanisms flooding activates: heavy precipitation that floods treatment intake zones can introduce contaminants upstream of normal filtration; well casings in low-lying areas can be infiltrated by floodwaters carrying bacteria, sediment, and chemical residue; and distribution system pressure changes during flooding can create backflow conditions. These effects become more probable as flood frequency and magnitude increase - and the NFIP record indicates both are meaningful factors locally.

399

Total FEMA Flood Claims

~20

Est. Claims/Year

Tacoma has a moderate flood history with 399 FEMA claims. 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.

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.