ZipCheckup grade for 98248: A.
The model grade is high, but the records on this page include findings worth reviewing.
Your top priority: match a filter's certification to the violations (10 health-based violations). Check your ZIP → NSF certified filters
Ferndale, WA (98248): 10 Health-Based Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems - 86/100
EPA data combined for 25 water systems mapped to this ZIP (largest mapped system: Ferndale)
Health-based violation records by water system:
- WA5318750 (9)
- Lynden Water Department (1)
EPA records for the water systems mapped to 98248 in Ferndale, WA contain 31 recorded violations for inclusive record years 2021 through 2026, all mapped systems combined; 10 are marked health-based.
Data source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SDWIS
At a Glance
- Water EPA records for water systems mapped to this ZIP show 10 health-based violations and 21 non-health-based (since 2021).
- Lead The reported 90th-percentile lead result of 0.0056 mg/L is below the EPA action level, but EPA's health goal for lead is zero; filtration is advisable.
- PFAS PFAS detected in UCMR5 sampling; see the PFAS section for each compound, compared with the federal PFAS MCL where one exists.
- Radon EPA Zone 3 - county-level radon potential, not evidence of a low home result.
- Flood 166 cumulative NFIP claim records. This historical count is not a current property-risk verdict.
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Check the list below - 1 high-priority alert on file for Ferndale (98248), with no critical-level alerts in these records.
Score Breakdown
Overall Home Safety Score: 86/100
This is the published model score. Component and domain values are shown independently; they are not added together on this page.
Canonical components
Required domains
Coverage: 4 of 4 components and 3 of 3 domains observed.
Model 4.0.0; series home-safety-v4-cross-vertical.
Safety & Health (7) CRITICAL
Your Water System
ZIP code 98248 in Ferndale, Washington is mapped to the water system Ferndale (EPA ID: WA5324850). This system provides water to approximately 19,305 people from groundwater sources.
There are 25 community water systems serving this area.
Water Systems Serving This Area
| System Name | EPA ID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferndale | WA5324850 | 19,305 | Groundwater |
| Sandy Point Improvement Company | WA5376105 | 2,098 | Groundwater |
| Birch Bay Water & Sewer District | WA5395904 | 9,046 | Groundwater |
| Pole Road Water Association | WA5368350 | 1,960 | Groundwater |
| Deer Creek Water Assoc. | WA5318418 | 2,000 | Groundwater |
Other Water Quality Reports in Washington
- 98001 (Auburn) - 6 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 98002 (Auburn) - 2 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 98003 (Federal Way) - 1 violation recorded for mapped water systems
- 98004 (Bellevue) - 3 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 98005 (Bellevue)
- 98006 (Bellevue) - 5 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 98007 (Bellevue)
- 98008 (Bellevue)
- 98009 (Bellevue)
- 98010 (Black Diamond)
- 98011 (Bothell) - 1 violation recorded for mapped water systems
- 98012 (Bothell) - 2 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 98013 (Burton)
- 98014 (Carnation) - 3 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 98015 (Bellevue)
- 98019 (Duvall) - 45 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 98020 (Edmonds) - 3 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 98021 (Bothell) - 5 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 98022 (Enumclaw) - 2 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 98023 (Federal Way) - 1 violation recorded for mapped water systems
Nearby Water Quality Reports
- 98240 (Custer) - 5 mi - 22 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 98264 (Lynden) - 8 mi - 15 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 98226 (Bellingham) - 8 mi - 5 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 98227 (Bellingham) - 9 mi
- 98228 (Bellingham) - 9 mi
- 98225 (Bellingham) - 9 mi - 1 violation recorded for mapped water systems
- 98230 (Blaine) - 9 mi - 23 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 98262 (Lummi Island) - 11 mi - 12 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 98231 (Blaine) - 11 mi
- 98247 (Everson) - 12 mi - 15 violations recorded for mapped water systems
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View available EPA compliance records for Ferndale (WA5324850) on EPA.gov.
5 of the top compounds applied across the surrounding county in USGS pesticide-use estimates appear on EPA drinking-water monitoring lists. See the agricultural pesticide-use section.
PFAS Contamination Detected
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been reported in samples from water systems associated with ZIP code 98248.
Detected compounds: PFBS.
Highest measured level: 0.0041 µg/L
Reverse osmosis (RO) and activated carbon block filters can reduce PFAS at the tap. Certifications list the compounds covered: an NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 claim for PFOA/PFOS does not cover every PFAS, so check that the product lists the compounds detected here.
Environmental Hazards (11) HIGH
Home & Infrastructure (7) OK
Cost & Community (9) HIGH
CPSC product recall notices
These national notices are not matched to this ZIP code or water system.
Protect Your Home in Ferndale
Based on local data for ZIP 98248, these services may benefit homeowners in your area.
Based on local data for your area. Use the tools below to explore your options.
Home & Flood Insurance
The ZIP code for this report in Ferndale has 166 FEMA flood claims on record. Standard homeowner policies don't cover flood damage - make sure you're protected.
Typical cost: Flood insurance: premiums vary by property and flood zone; request a quote
Check Your Flood Zone (Free)FEMA flood map lookup - see if your property is in a flood zone
Free tip: Check your FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov (free lookup)
Service recommendations are based on public data for this ZIP code (FEMA, Census ACS, NWS). Actual needs vary by property. By calling, your information will be shared with an independent service provider. ZipCheckup may receive compensation. Cost estimates are approximate and vary by property, condition, and contractor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water in 98248 safe to drink?
EPA SDWIS records 31 violations since 2021 across the water systems mapped to ZIP 98248 (primary system: Ferndale), including 10 health-based. The violation table above shows which system each record belongs to. ZipCheckup last updated this page in July 2026. The federal source release date is unavailable, so that month is not presented as source currency.
Where does 98248's water come from?
The recorded water source for Ferndale, a system mapped to ZIP code 98248, is Groundwater. This system serves approximately 19,305 people.
How does Ferndale water compare to the national average?
Ferndale's Home Safety Score ranks better than 80% of U.S. ZIP codes, and lower than 59% of ZIP codes within Washington.
How can I get my water tested in Ferndale?
If Ferndale supplies your home, contact it for its Consumer Confidence Report; otherwise contact the water utility that serves your address, or hire a certified lab for independent home water testing. The EPA recommends annual testing if you use a private well.
Is lead a concern in 98248 tap water?
The Lead and Copper Rule record selected for 98248 reports a 90th-percentile lead result of 0.0056 mg/L for a water system mapped to this ZIP (record date 2024-12-31). The EPA action level is 0.015 mg/L. This result is below the EPA action level; it does not show the lead level in each home.
What is the radon risk for 98248?
98248 is mapped to a county in EPA Radon Zone 3 (low county-level radon potential; EPA recommends testing every home), located in Whatcom County. EPA radon zones range from Zone 1 (highest county-level potential) to Zone 3 (lowest). Testing your home is recommended regardless of zone.
Are there PFAS (forever chemicals) in 98248's water?
Yes, PFAS have been detected in samples from water systems mapped to 98248. Reverse osmosis and activated carbon filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 specifically for PFOA/PFOS reduction can reduce PFAS.
What does the NFIP claim history show for ZIP 98248?
FEMA records contain 166 flood insurance claims filed in ZIP code 98248; the recorded rated-zone value (the most frequent one if there are several claims) is AE, which is claims evidence and may differ from the current FEMA map zone for a property. This is a substantial claim history, but claim count is not a count of distinct events or properties. Review FEMA's map for the specific property.
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (2026). Ferndale, WA (98248): 10 Health-Based Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems - 86/100. https://zipcheckup.com/report/98248/
@misc{zipcheckup-report-98248,
author = {{ZipCheckup}},
title = {{Ferndale, WA (98248): 10 Health-Based Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems - 86/100}},
year = {2026},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/report/98248/}
}
Page version: October 2026.
Nearby ZIP Code Reports
Water quality comparison for ZIP codes near 98248
| ZIP Code | City, State | Distance | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98240 | Custer, WA | 5.3 mi | N/A | 22 |
| 98264 | Lynden, WA | 8.1 mi | A | 15 |
| 98226 | Bellingham, WA | 8.2 mi | B | 5 |
| 98227 | Bellingham, WA | 8.6 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 98228 | Bellingham, WA | 8.6 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 98225 | Bellingham, WA | 9.2 mi | A | 1 |
| 98230 | Blaine, WA | 9.4 mi | A | 23 |
| 98262 | Lummi Island, WA | 11.1 mi | N/A | 12 |
| 98231 | Blaine, WA | 11.4 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 98247 | Everson, WA | 12.3 mi | A | 15 |
Nearby ZIP Code Reports
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ZIP 98248 scores in the top tier nationally.