Tacoma, WA Water Quality Report
Is Tacoma tap water safe? See PFAS and lead contamination levels for Tacoma, Washington. Compare to EPA limits and get filter recommendations.
Quick Answers
Is Tacoma tap water safe to drink? Tacoma tap water meets most federal EPA limits, but PFAS compounds have been detected at an average of 0 ppt across 2 compounds. A certified pitcher filter or reverse osmosis system is recommended for sensitive populations.
What contaminants are in Tacoma water? Top PFAS compounds detected in Tacoma water: PFHxS (0.01 ppt), PFPeA (0 ppt). See the full table for all monitored contaminants and comparison to EPA limits.
What filter should I use in Tacoma? Reverse osmosis removes 90%+ of PFAS, lead, and arsenic. NSF-53 certified pitcher and faucet filters (ZeroWater, Clearly Filtered, LifeStraw) work for smaller households. Skip standard Brita filters for PFAS removal.
Tacoma Water Quality Summary
EPA testing has detected PFAS "forever chemicals" in Tacoma drinking water. Recent monitoring found a peak level of 0.01 ppt across 2 water systems, representing an average of 0 ppt across 2 detected compounds.
Contamination Level: LOW – Low contamination – PFAS detected but at lower levels; monitoring continues.
Top Detected Compounds
- PFHxS: 0.01 ppt
- PFPeA: 0 ppt
Lead in Tacoma Water
EPA Lead and Copper Rule testing has recorded 11 lead samples for Tacoma water systems, with a 90th-percentile high of 0.0041 mg/L (within the EPA 0.015 mg/L action level). There is no safe level of lead for children; if your home was built before 1986, a certified NSF/ANSI 53 lead-removal filter is recommended.
EPA Violations in Tacoma
Tacoma public water systems have 8 health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record, including Arsenic. Health-based violations mean a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
About the Data
These figures come from the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 (UCMR5) testing program, 2023-2025. UCMR5 is the most comprehensive national drinking water survey in US history, covering 66,000+ public water systems. Population of Tacoma: approximately 219,346.
ZIP Codes Served
Compare Tacoma to Other Cities
Side-by-side PFAS contamination comparisons with same-state, regional, and national peers.
What Tacoma Residents Should Do
- Enter your exact ZIP code at knowyourexposure.com for address-level data
- Install an NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis filter (removes 94-99% of PFAS)
- If you're in a high-exposure group (pregnant, young children), consider a PFAS home test kit
- Review your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) annually