Health Violations Found WA 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Clark Public Utilities

EPA ID: WA5313333 · 116,876 people served · 23 ZIP codes

Past issues aside, Clark Public Utilities cleared all 6 violations and is compliant today, supplying 116,876 residents.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

C · 57
Avg Safety Score
116,876
People Served
23
ZIP Codes Served
6
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0022 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
3
Contaminants Flagged
$509K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Clark Public Utilities Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$98,974
Median Household Income
526,280
Service Area Population
13%
Disadvantaged Population
41th
Poverty Percentile
22th
Energy Burden Percentile
43%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Clark Public Utilities serves a community with a median household income of $98,974 and an estimated 526,280 residents across its service area. Approximately 43% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Clark Public Utilities's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
11th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
66th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Clark County, Washington rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 66th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

38 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
31 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 55% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Clark Public Utilities compares to EPA limits

Lead 1 mg/L (action level) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level)
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults

What This Means For You

Lead at 1 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 5 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 109 detections recorded. 39 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 12 exceed state limits.

State limits: PFOA: 0.01 ppt, PFOS: 0.015 ppt, PFHxS: 0.065 ppt, PFBS: 0.345 ppt, HFPO-DA: 0.024 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Washington

Pasco Water Department
116,342 people
B 13 violations
Highline Water District
115,950 people
A 1 violation
A 3 violations
City of Kennewick
114,468 people
C 13 violations
City of Olympia
113,584 people
A 2 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,252
Radon Mitigation $1,200
PFAS Treatment $543
Water Filtration $183
Total Estimated Cost $3,178

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,165
10 years
$10,330
20 years
$20,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $3,178 (one-time) vs. $10,330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Clark Public Utilities (EPA ID: WA5313333) is a community water system in Washington that serves approximately 116,876 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 23 ZIP codes across 10 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (57/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. All violations have been resolved.

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 5 No
Lead Inorganic 1 No
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 Yes

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
98685 0.0022 mg/L No N/A
98675 0.001 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: 14 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 9 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Clark Public Utilities (WA5313333) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Clark Public Utilities water safe to drink?

Clark Public Utilities has recorded 1 health-based violation in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does Clark Public Utilities serve?

Clark Public Utilities serves approximately 116,876 people across 23 ZIP codes in Washington.

Where does Clark Public Utilities get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Contact Your Water Utility

Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.

Phone
360-992-8022
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.
Address
8600 NE 117th Avenue, Orchards, WA

Contact information from Clark Public Utilities Regional Water System Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
ground_water
Disinfectant used
Chlorine
Treatment chemicals reported
chlorine

Source: Clark Public Utilities Regional Water System Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

Source water assessment from Clark Public Utilities Regional Water System Consumer Confidence Report:
Clark Public Utilities gets its water from 35 groundwater wells drawing from four aquifers: Recent Alluvial Aquifer, Troutdale Aquifer, the deep Sand and Gravel Aquifer, and fractured basalt formations in Clark County, Washington.

Treatment regime

How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.

Treatment classification
Minimal — disinfection only
Disinfection (typically chlorine) without additional filtration or coagulation stages. Common for groundwater systems where source water meets federal standards after disinfection alone.

Treatment chemicals and what each one does

Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.

Disinfectant
Inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the treated water.
chlorine

Watershed exposure sources reported

Land-use and natural conditions identified in the utility's source-water assessment as potential contamination sources upstream of treatment.

Microbial contaminantsInorganic contaminantsPesticides and herbicidesOrganic chemical contaminantsRadioactive contaminants

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from Clark Public Utilities Regional Water System Consumer Confidence Report.

Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
580
Detections
5
Latest sample
3/28/2023
Highest analyte
PFOS: 8.4 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFOS 8.4 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFOA 8 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFHxS 5.3 ppt 10 ppt Below current MCL
PFBS 4.1 ppt
PFHxA 3.3 ppt

Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.

Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

PFAS Substances Detected in This System

This water system's Consumer Confidence Report disclosed the following PFAS compounds. Levels are from the utility's most recent reporting cycle.

Substance Detected level EPA limit Status
PFBS
Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
Component of EPA Hazard Index — combined exposure assessed against unitless threshold of 1.0.
Not disclosed No federal limit set
PFOS
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
Not disclosed 4 ppt
PFOA
Perfluorooctanoic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
Not disclosed 4 ppt
PFHxS
Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
Not disclosed 10 ppt
PFHxA
Not yet EPA-regulated
Not disclosed No federal limit set

In April 2024, EPA finalized the first National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six PFAS. Public water systems have until 2029 to comply. EPA — PFAS regulation overview →

Source: Consumer Confidence Report disclosed by Clark Public Utilities Regional Water System.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. PFAS detection data is sourced from public Consumer Confidence Reports filed by the utility itself.

Learn more about PFAS health effects and filtration →

Notable events and violations

This section summarizes events the utility chose to disclose in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report, plus any federal compliance violations the utility recorded against itself. Both lists are utility-authored — ZipCheckup does not audit, judge, or reorder them.

Notable events from the utility's CCR

These bullet entries are the utility's own narration of operational, regulatory, or infrastructure events during the reporting period.

Notable events from Clark Public Utilities Regional Water System Consumer Confidence Report:
  • In 2023 one routine coliform monitoring sample was positive for total coliform; all required follow-up samples were satisfactory.
  • Yacolt Water System (sub-system): Corrosion Control Treatment Technique Violation notifications distributed quarterly until treatment processes completed and online November 2023; copper 90th percentile 1.6 ppm exceeded action level at 4 of 11 sites.

ZipCheckup note: items above reflect what the utility published in its most recent CCR. Federal violation records are also tracked separately by the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) — the SDWIS record is the authoritative federal source for any specific regulatory action.

How Water Systems Appear in Rankings

Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Clark Public Utilities safe to drink?
Clark Public Utilities has a C safety grade based on 6 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Clark Public Utilities's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Stage 1 DBP Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 3 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Clark Public Utilities serve?
Clark Public Utilities serves approximately 116,876 people with drinking water across 23 ZIP codes.
What is Clark Public Utilities's water source?
Clark Public Utilities draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Clark Public Utilities's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0022 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Clark Public Utilities's service area?
The Clark Public Utilities service area has a median household income of $98,974. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Clark Public Utilities get its water?
Clark Public Utilities's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Clark Public Utilities (EPA ID: WA5313333) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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