Is Washington Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Water quality data for 26 cities across Washington. Find your city below.
Water quality in Washington varies significantly from city to city. Across 26 cities we track, hardness ranges from 12 PPM in Kirkland to 104 PPM in Spokane, with a statewide average of 33 PPM. Most cities in Washington have relatively soft water, so a softener is generally unnecessary.
8 Washington cities have forever chemicals (PFAS) above the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 parts per trillion: Spokane (16.8 ppt), Kennewick (42.89 ppt), Richland (63.55 ppt), Redmond (9.2 ppt), Federal Way (37.7 ppt), and 3 more. A reverse osmosis system or NSF P473-certified filter can reduce PFAS to safe levels.
Complete Washington Guide
Statewide water quality overview, costs, and treatment recommendations.
Well Water in Washington
Testing, treatment, and common issues for private wells.
Hardest Water Rankings
Washington cities ranked by water hardness level.
City Comparisons
Spokane vs Kirkland
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Spokane vs Pasco
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Pasco vs Kennewick
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Washington Cities by Water Hardness
| City | Hardness (PPM) | Level | PFAS (ppt) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spokane | 104 | Moderately Hard | 16.8 | Spokane-Rathdrum Aquifer |
| Pasco | 100 | Moderately Hard | 0 | Columbia River |
| Kennewick | 95 | Moderately Hard | 42.89 | Columbia River |
| Richland | 92 | Moderately Hard | 63.55 | Columbia River |
| Wenatchee | 70 | Moderately Hard | 0 | Columbia River + wells |
| Bellevue | 26 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Tolt River, Cedar River (Seattle system) |
| Everett | 26 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Spada Lake |
| Yakima | 25 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Naches River, wells |
| Redmond | 25 | Slightly Hard | 9.2 | Tolt River + wells |
| Renton | 22 | Slightly Hard | 3 | Cedar River Watershed |
| Seattle Downtown | 22 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Cedar River + Tolt River |
| Tacoma | 21 | Slightly Hard | 8.08 | Green River Watershed |
| Seattle | 20 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Cedar River + Tolt River |
| Auburn | 20 | Slightly Hard | 4 | Howard Hanson Dam & wells |
| Lacey | 20 | Slightly Hard | 32.1 | McAllister Springs & wells |
| Tacoma South | 20 | Slightly Hard | 8.08 | Green River Watershed |
| Federal Way | 18 | Slightly Hard | 37.7 | Tacoma Water (Green River), Lakehaven We… |
| Marysville | 18 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Snohomish County wells |
| Burien | 18 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Cedar River via SPU |
| Olympia | 17 | Slightly Hard | 21.95 | McAllister Springs, groundwater |
| Kent | 16 | Soft | 3.4 | Tacoma Water (Green River), wells |
| Lake Stevens | 16 | Soft | 0 | Lake Stevens & Snohomish PUD |
| Sammamish | 15 | Soft | 30.96 | Tolt River Watershed |
| Bellingham | 15 | Soft | 0 | Lake Whatcom |
| Vancouver | 13 | Soft | 40.35 | Groundwater wells |
| Kirkland | 12 | Soft | 0 | Seattle Water (Cedar/Tolt Rivers) |