Ephrata Water Department
EPA ID: WA5323650 · 8,718 people served · 1 ZIP code
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Ephrata Water Department (WA5323650): 6 EPA violations in the last five years. Over the tracked period, Ephrata Water Department logged 6 EPA violations - each has been remedied, and the system now supplies 8,718 people in good standing.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Ephrata Water Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary
Service Area Demographics
The Ephrata Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $77,361 and an estimated 12,661 residents across its service area. Approximately 63% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 63% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Ephrata 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.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Ephrata Water Department compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) 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 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
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Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
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.
System Overview
Ephrata Water Department (EPA ID: WA5323650) is a community water system in Washington that serves approximately 8,718 people from groundwater sources.
This system serves ZIP code 98823 in Ephrata.
Violation History
Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 4 resolved, 2 archived, 0 addressed, and 0 unaddressed. Under this source contract, current noncompliance is the sum of addressed and unaddressed records. Archived and resolved records are excluded from current noncompliance.
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2025 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Non-health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2025 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Non-health-based | Archived |
| July 1, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Non-health-based | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:
| Lead Level | Exceeds Action Level | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0 mg/L | No | N/A |
No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.
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 FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by WA or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.
- 98823 - Ephrata
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Ephrata Water Department (WA5323650) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ephrata Water Department water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows no current noncompliance for Ephrata Water Department; its 6 accepted 2021-2026 records are resolved or archived. Historical compliance status does not establish conditions at a specific tap.
How many people does Ephrata Water Department serve?
Ephrata Water Department serves approximately 8,718 people across 1 ZIP code in Washington.
Where does Ephrata 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.
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 →
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
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Ephrata Water Department (WA): 6 EPA Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/wa5323650/
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title = {{Ephrata Water Department (WA): 6 EPA Violations}},
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url = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/wa5323650/}
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What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Ephrata Water Department (EPA ID: WA5323650) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.