Health Violations Found WA 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

City of Selah

EPA ID: WA5377400 · 12,515 people served · 2 ZIP codes

City of Selah recorded 2 EPA violations over the past five years, all of which have since been resolved — the utility is currently in compliance serving 12,515 residents.

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

B · 77
Avg Safety Score
12,515
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
2
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0023 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
2
Contaminants Flagged
$355K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Stable · Risk tier: High · 85% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 2 (2021) to 1 (2023). Violation counts have remained relatively steady.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for City of Selah Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$81,759
Median Household Income
56,485
Service Area Population
56%
Disadvantaged Population
70th
Poverty Percentile
50th
Energy Burden Percentile
57%
Pre-1986 Housing

The City of Selah serves a community with a median household income of $81,759 and an estimated 56,485 residents across its service area. Approximately 57% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 56% 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?

Groundwater

City of Selah'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
10th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
60th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Yakima 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 60th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

47 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
23 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 67% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How City of Selah 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 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

B 0 violations
A 1 violation
Skyway Water & Sewer
12,036 people
0 violations
0 violations
A 1 violation

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,200
Radon Mitigation $400
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $1,900

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 $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,500
10 years
$5,000
20 years
$10,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,900 (one-time) vs. $5,000 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 Selah (EPA ID: WA5377400) is a community water system in Washington that serves approximately 12,515 people from groundwater sources.

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

Average Home Safety Score: B (77/100)

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
Lead Inorganic 1 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 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
98942 0.0023 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: 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 City of Selah (WA5377400) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is City of Selah water safe to drink?

City of Selah 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 City of Selah serve?

City of Selah serves approximately 12,515 people across 2 ZIP codes in Washington.

Where does City of Selah 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 →

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 City of Selah safe to drink?
City of Selah earns a B safety grade with 2 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in City of Selah's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, Consumer Confidence Report Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 2 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 Selah serve?
City of Selah serves approximately 12,515 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is City of Selah's water source?
City of Selah draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in City of Selah's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0023 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of City of Selah's service area?
The City of Selah service area has a median household income of $81,759. EPA EJScreen data classifies 56% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does City of Selah get its water?
City of Selah'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 Selah (EPA ID: WA5377400) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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