Underwood, WA Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to WA averages, Underwood scores below the baseline — health violations appear more frequently than the norm and the city's grade reflects that ongoing shortfall.
How Underwood Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Underwood Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 45% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.11 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Underwood
With 3 utilities splitting service in Underwood, WA, water accountability is distributed across 3 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Underwood, Washington (population ~935), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 3,258 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Underwood — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Underwood: 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
Underwood water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Underwood
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 98651 | D | Underwood | 1,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Underwood
- 98651 [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 Underwood
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 Underwood's Housing Stock?
With 45% 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 Underwood's housing stock spans a wide range of construction eras, the median build year of 1981 lands in a zone where two distinct risk populations share the same residential market. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered copper plumbing joints — that practice was federally prohibited in 1986 but remained standard until then. The fraction built before 1970 face an additional risk: lead pipes used for service line connections were common before that decade, meaning both the pipe and the solder may be lead-containing in the oldest structures. Residents in mid-century or earlier homes face a different risk environment than neighbors in houses built after 1986, even if they drink from the same utility's supply — and that property-level divergence is what makes the age distribution above more diagnostic than the city-wide median alone.
Most homes in Underwood 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.
Underwood: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Equity impact data for Underwood lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Underwood are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 22% above the Washington average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Underwood
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Underwood have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 45% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Underwood
- 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 45% 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 Underwood, WA