Yakima, WA: 7 Health Violations — 78/100 (2026)
7 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Yakima hold a strong EPA compliance record — the city places among the better-performing areas in WA with few health-based violations on file.
How Yakima Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Yakima, WA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Yakima score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Yakima Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 35 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0006 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,643 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.85 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Yakima
In Yakima, WA, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 8 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 7 ZIP codes in Yakima, Washington, covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 134,388 people.
7 of 7 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 7 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Yakima: B (78/100)
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
Yakima water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0006 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 16 | 7 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | 7 |
| Total Organic Carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | 7 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 7 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98901 | B | 5 | 1 | City of Yakima Water Division |
| 98902 | B | 5 | 1 | City of Yakima Water Division |
| 98903 | B | 5 | 1 | City of Yakima Water Division |
| 98904 | B | 5 | 1 | City of Yakima Water Division |
| 98907 | B | 5 | 1 | City of Yakima Water Division |
| 98908 | B | 5 | 1 | City of Yakima Water Division |
| 98909 | B | 5 | 1 | City of Yakima Water Division |
All ZIP Codes in Yakima
- 98901 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 98902 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 98903 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 98904 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 98907 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 98908 [B] — 5 violations ⚠
- 98909 [B] — 5 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.
Health Outcomes in Yakima
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
Top Contaminants in Yakima Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Yakima Homeowners
Setting Yakima remediation figures against its property market, the resulting ratio sits comfortably in the low tier — a classification that reflects the kind of household financial position where most homeowners can identify documented issues, schedule the work, and absorb the cost without it registering as a significant budget disruption.
Remediation costs in Yakima are relatively low compared to home values. The $779–$2,786 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 43% below the Washington average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Yakima
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 Yakima 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 Yakima
Flood activity in Yakima is neither negligible nor at the level of the highest-exposure areas in the NFIP dataset. The 176-claim record and 57% flood zone coverage suggest a community that has experienced recurrent events but has not faced the kind of sustained, severe exposure where water-supply contamination becomes a primary public health concern. It sits in a middle range where flood history merits inclusion in any complete local water quality picture.
Yakima has a moderate flood history with 176 FEMA claims averaging $11,328 per payout. 57% 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>$1,643</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 Yakima, WA