2026 Rankings

Worst Infrastructure: Washington — 2026 Rankings

Last updated: August 31, 2026

591 ZIP codes ranked by Pipe Failure Risk #1: ZIP 98001 (Auburn, WA) - NaN%
Lead Violations Lowest Score Safest Flood Risk Energy Cost Radon PFAS Reliability EJ Index Homebuyer Risk CO & Gas Safest Gas Remediation Burden Unresolved Violations (by Utility) Water Equity (by Utility)

Out of 591 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in Washington, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 591
Highest risk NaN%
Median risk NaN%
Average risk NaN%
State Washington

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Pipe Failure Risk Risk Level Safety Score
1 98001 Auburn WA NaN% Unknown 82/100
2 98002 Auburn WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
3 98003 Federal Way WA NaN% Unknown 83/100
4 98004 Bellevue WA NaN% Unknown 99/100
5 98005 Bellevue WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
6 98006 Bellevue WA NaN% Unknown 98/100
7 98007 Bellevue WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
8 98008 Bellevue WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
9 98010 Black Diamond WA NaN% Unknown 83/100
10 98011 Bothell WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
11 98012 Bothell WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
12 98014 Carnation WA NaN% Unknown 99/100
13 98019 Duvall WA NaN% Unknown 85/100
14 98020 Edmonds WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
15 98021 Bothell WA NaN% Unknown 99/100
16 98022 Enumclaw WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
17 98023 Federal Way WA NaN% Unknown 83/100
18 98024 Fall City WA NaN% Unknown —
19 98026 Edmonds WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
20 98027 Issaquah WA NaN% Unknown 98/100
21 98028 Kenmore WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
22 98029 Issaquah WA NaN% Unknown 83/100
23 98030 Kent WA NaN% Unknown 99/100
24 98031 Kent WA NaN% Unknown 98/100
25 98032 Kent WA NaN% Unknown 99/100
26 98033 Kirkland WA NaN% Unknown 83/100
27 98034 Kirkland WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
28 98036 Lynnwood WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
29 98037 Lynnwood WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
30 98038 Maple Valley WA NaN% Unknown 82/100
31 98039 Medina WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
32 98040 Mercer Island WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
33 98042 Kent WA NaN% Unknown 82/100
34 98043 Mountlake Terrace WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
35 98045 North Bend WA NaN% Unknown 99/100
36 98047 Pacific WA NaN% Unknown 99/100
37 98050 Preston WA NaN% Unknown —
38 98051 Ravensdale WA NaN% Unknown 83/100
39 98052 Redmond WA NaN% Unknown 83/100
40 98053 Redmond WA NaN% Unknown 83/100
41 98055 Renton WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
42 98056 Renton WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
43 98057 Renton WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
44 98058 Renton WA NaN% Unknown 99/100
45 98059 Renton WA NaN% Unknown 99/100
46 98065 Snoqualmie WA NaN% Unknown 98/100
47 98068 Snoqualmie Pass WA NaN% Unknown 83/100
48 98070 Vashon WA NaN% Unknown 93/100
49 98072 Woodinville WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
50 98074 Sammamish WA NaN% Unknown 83/100
51 98075 Sammamish WA NaN% Unknown 83/100
52 98077 Woodinville WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
53 98087 Lynnwood WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
54 98092 Auburn WA NaN% Unknown 79/100
55 98101 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
56 98102 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
57 98103 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
58 98104 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
59 98105 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
60 98106 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
61 98107 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
62 98108 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
63 98109 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
64 98110 Bainbridge Island WA NaN% Unknown 97/100
65 98112 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
66 98115 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
67 98116 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
68 98117 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
69 98118 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
70 98119 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
71 98121 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
72 98122 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
73 98125 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
74 98126 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
75 98133 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
76 98134 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
77 98136 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
78 98144 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
79 98146 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
80 98148 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 99/100
81 98155 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
82 98164 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown —
83 98166 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
84 98168 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
85 98177 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
86 98178 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
87 98188 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 99/100
88 98198 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 99/100
89 98199 Seattle WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
90 98201 Everett WA NaN% Unknown 99/100
91 98203 Everett WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
92 98204 Everett WA NaN% Unknown 100/100
93 98207 Everett WA NaN% Unknown —
94 98208 Everett WA NaN% Unknown 99/100
95 98220 Acme WA NaN% Unknown —
96 98221 Anacortes WA NaN% Unknown 99/100
97 98222 Blakely Island WA NaN% Unknown —
98 98223 Arlington WA NaN% Unknown 92/100
99 98224 Baring WA NaN% Unknown —
100 98225 Bellingham WA NaN% Unknown 100/100

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-08-31.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →

Related Rankings

Water Safety 2026 EPA violations and water quality scores Lead Risk 2026 Lead pipe infrastructure and EPA exceedances Infrastructure 2026 Aging pipes, system age and remediation costs
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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