Monitoring Violations WA

City of Colfax Water Department

EPA ID: WA5314000 · 3,507 people served · 2 ZIP codes

While corrective steps may be in progress, City of Colfax Water Department currently shows 2 EPA violations unresolved — serving a population of approximately 3,507.

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

C · 66
Avg Safety Score
3,507
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
5
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0038 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
3
Contaminants Flagged
$245K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for City of Colfax Water Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$57,631
Median Household Income
4,119
Service Area Population
10%
Disadvantaged Population
30th
Poverty Percentile
50th
Energy Burden Percentile
78%
Pre-1986 Housing

The City of Colfax Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $57,631 and an estimated 4,119 residents across its service area. Approximately 78% 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

City of Colfax Water Department'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.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
20th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
10th
Superfund Site Proximity

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

Infrastructure Risk

79 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
0 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 100% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How City of Colfax Water Department compares to EPA limits

Lead 2 mg/L (action level) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level)
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 2 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns

What This Means For You

Lead at 2 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.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

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

City of Winlock
3,502 people
A 1 violation
Naches Town of
3,512 people
B 2 violations
City of Zillah
3,518 people
C 3 violations
0 violations
Friday Harbor Town of
3,543 people
B 19 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation
Flood Insurance $600
Radon Mitigation $400
Total Estimated Cost $1,000

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.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,000
10 years
$10,000
20 years
$20,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,000 (one-time) vs. $10,000 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

City of Colfax Water Department (EPA ID: WA5314000) is a community water system in Washington that serves approximately 3,507 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (66/100)

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

Violation History

5 monitoring/reporting violations recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 1, 2023 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2023 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2023 Lead Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Lead Inorganic 2 No
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 2 No
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 1 No

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
99111 0.0038 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate 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: 1 ZIP code confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 1 additional ZIP 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 City of Colfax Water Department (WA5314000) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is City of Colfax Water Department water safe to drink?

City of Colfax Water Department has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.

How many people does City of Colfax Water Department serve?

City of Colfax Water Department serves approximately 3,507 people across 2 ZIP codes in Washington.

Where does City of Colfax Water Department get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.

Samples collected
174

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 →

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
775
Galvanized — Replacement Required
721
Unknown Material
456
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2022-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 3,507
Reported to Washington

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from City of Colfax Water Department safe to drink?
City of Colfax Water Department has a C safety grade based on 5 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in City of Colfax Water Department's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Surface Water Treatment 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 City of Colfax Water Department serve?
City of Colfax Water Department serves approximately 3,507 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is City of Colfax Water Department's water source?
City of Colfax Water Department draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in City of Colfax Water Department's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0038 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of City of Colfax Water Department's service area?
The City of Colfax Water Department service area has a median household income of $57,631. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does City of Colfax Water Department get its water?
City of Colfax Water Department'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 available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.

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

City of Colfax Water Department (EPA ID: WA5314000) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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