Is Auburn, WA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Auburn tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 20 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Auburn Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Auburn Compares
Auburn's water is 86% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 92% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Washington, it ranks #14 of 26 cities (39% below the state average of 33 PPM). Among mid-size cities (100k-200k), Auburn ranks #172 of 189 for hardness.
What Auburn's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 20 PPM - Low Concern
Auburn's water is slightly hard at 20 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. Auburn is softer than 91% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment, contaminant filtration is where to focus your money, not softening.
Contaminants & Safety
Disinfection byproducts are the notable finding here. Auburn's water has TTHMs at 10.2 ppb and HAA5 at 6.83 ppb — both within legal limits, but the EWG health guidelines are far stricter. These byproducts form when chlorine reacts with organic matter during treatment. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and its byproducts. Want the full picture? Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
What's in the Treatment Process
Even though Auburn draws from groundwater, the treatment process still generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 10.2 ppb and HAA5 at 6.83 ppb. Groundwater typically needs less treatment than surface water, but when organic compounds are present in the aquifer, chlorination creates the same byproducts. All levels are within legal limits, though above the stricter EWG health guidelines.
Chromium-6 is naturally present in Auburn's aquifer geology at 0.201 ppb — 10x the EWG health guideline. There's no federal legal limit for chromium-6 specifically (only total chromium), which is why EWG tracks it separately. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 20 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 26 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 4 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 2.2 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.6 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 1.44 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommendations for Auburn Homes
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.6 mg/L chlorine, many Auburn residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Auburn
City-wide data is a solid starting point, but your specific tap might differ based on plumbing age, distance from the treatment plant, or seasonal changes.
Free option: Request City of Auburn Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Auburn's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of Auburn Water
Water Source: Howard Hanson Dam & wells (Groundwater)
Population Served: 113,095
Hardness: 20 PPM (1.2 grains per gallon)
Auburn draws its drinking water from groundwater sources — Howard Hanson Dam & wells. Groundwater typically requires less treatment than surface water because the earth acts as a natural filter. The tradeoff: dissolved minerals from underground rock formations, which is why mineral content varies by aquifer depth and geology. The geological profile determines hardness, iron, and trace mineral levels. The system serves 113,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Auburn Water's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by City of Auburn Water in Auburn, WA, including ZIP codes:
98001, 98002, 98010, 98022, 98047, 98071, 98092, 98304, 98321, 98323, 98352, 98354, 98360, 98361, 98372, 98385, 98390, 98391, 98396, 98397, 98398, 98430
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Auburn to Other Washington Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Auburn Water
Is Auburn tap water safe to drink?
Where does Auburn's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Auburn?
What are disinfection byproducts in Auburn's water?
Is chromium-6 in Auburn's water?
Why does Auburn water taste like chlorine?
Can I drink Auburn tap water straight from the faucet?
How does Auburn compare to the Washington average?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Auburn Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 20 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Auburn's water data.