Vancouver, WA: 14 Health Violations — 68/100 (2026)
14 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Vancouver water quality is uneven — some service areas show clean compliance; others carry documented violations in WA EPA records.
How Vancouver Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Vancouver, WA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Vancouver's 14 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Vancouver Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 28 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0022 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 48% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,300 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.85.
Vancouver's Water Providers
At present, 3 utilities serve the bulk of Vancouver, WA's residential water connections out of 6 systems active in the area, spread across independent providers with separate infrastructure and compliance obligations.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 14 ZIP codes in Vancouver, Washington, covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 356,538 people.
14 of 14 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 14 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Vancouver: C (68/100)
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
Vancouver water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0022 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 14 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Inorganic | 15 | 14 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 15 | 14 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98660 | C | 2 | 1 | City of Vancouver |
| 98661 | C | 2 | 1 | City of Vancouver |
| 98662 | C | 2 | 1 | City of Vancouver |
| 98663 | C | 2 | 1 | City of Vancouver |
| 98664 | C | 2 | 1 | City of Vancouver |
| 98665 | C | 2 | 1 | City of Vancouver |
| 98666 | C | 2 | 1 | City of Vancouver |
| 98668 | C | 2 | 1 | City of Vancouver |
| 98682 | C | 2 | 1 | City of Vancouver |
| 98683 | C | 2 | 1 | City of Vancouver |
All ZIP Codes in Vancouver
- 98660 [C] — 2 violations ⚠
- 98661 [C] — 2 violations ⚠
- 98662 [C] — 2 violations ⚠
- 98663 [C] — 2 violations ⚠
- 98664 [C] — 2 violations ⚠
- 98665 [C] — 2 violations ⚠
- 98666 [C] — 2 violations ⚠
- 98668 [C] — 2 violations ⚠
- 98682 [C] — 2 violations ⚠
- 98683 [C] — 2 violations ⚠
- 98684 [C] — 2 violations ⚠
- 98685 [C] — 2 violations ⚠
- 98686 [C] — 2 violations ⚠
- 98687 [C] — 2 violations ⚠
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.
Vancouver 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 Vancouver's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Vancouver Infrastructure Age
With 48% 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
The story of Vancouver's housing stock is one of layered development — neighborhoods built in different decades, each carrying the plumbing standards of their era. The median build year of 1985 reflects that layered character. Before 1986, lead solder was standard in copper plumbing; before 1970, lead pipes were commonly used for service lines. A substantial portion of the pre-1986 homes visible in the distribution above still carry the plumbing materials of those earlier standards — creating a risk environment that the city-wide aggregate water data doesn't fully capture.
Most homes in Vancouver 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Vancouver
While no remediation project is entirely without cost, the relationship between estimated remediation and property values in Vancouver is notably favorable — the equity share is small enough that the household financial perspective is one of proportionality rather than pressure, and most homeowners can treat it as routine planning rather than a significant financial event.
Remediation costs in Vancouver are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,150–$4,629 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 5% below the Washington average.
Vancouver: 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.
Older stock in Vancouver represents 48% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Vancouver: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
The National Flood Insurance Program captures decades of claims at the local level, building a record of cumulative community flood exposure. For Vancouver, that record documents 37 claims and 64% 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.
Vancouver has a moderate flood history with 37 FEMA claims averaging $14,885 per payout. 64% 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>$3,300</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.
What You Can Do in Vancouver
- 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. Filters rated for Lead can reduce the most common contaminant found in Vancouver's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 48% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Vancouver, WA