Water System Report WA

Rochester

EPA ID: WA5373300 · 1,762 people served · 3 ZIP codes

Water monitoring for Rochester: clean, five years, 1,762 residents.

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

A · 85
Avg Safety Score
1,762
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0022 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 3
Radon Risk · Low
0
Contaminants Flagged
$406K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 1 (2022) to 1 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Rochester Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade A

Service Area Demographics

$93,738
Median Household Income
72,554
Service Area Population
19%
Disadvantaged Population
47th
Poverty Percentile
40th
Energy Burden Percentile
47%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Rochester serves a community with a median household income of $93,738 and an estimated 72,554 residents across its service area. Approximately 47% 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

Rochester'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
7th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
70th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Thurston 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 70th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

43 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
27 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 61% of expected lifespan used End of life

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 3 detections recorded. 1 exceeds federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).

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 →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Washington

0 violations
Glenhaven Lakes Club
1,780 people
B 0 violations
Sumas Water Department
1,740 people
B 0 violations
C 16 violations
C 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment
Flood Insurance $1,400
PFAS Treatment $367
Total Estimated Cost $1,767

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:

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

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

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,767 (one-time) vs. $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

Rochester (EPA ID: WA5373300) is a community water system in Washington that serves approximately 1,762 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 3 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: A (85/100)

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

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
98579 0.0022 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

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: 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.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Rochester (WA5373300) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rochester water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, Rochester has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does Rochester serve?

Rochester serves approximately 1,762 people across 3 ZIP codes in Washington.

Where does Rochester get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Lead Service Line Inventory

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

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
745
Confirmed Non-Lead

This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.

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 2021-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 1,762
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 Rochester safe to drink?
Rochester earns a A safety grade with 0 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
Should I use a water filter?
Rochester meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Rochester serve?
Rochester serves approximately 1,762 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is Rochester's water source?
Rochester draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Rochester'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 Rochester's service area?
The Rochester service area has a median household income of $93,738. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Rochester get its water?
Rochester'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.
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