Is Lake Stevens, WA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Lake Stevens tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 16 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Lake Stevens Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Lake Stevens Compares
Lake Stevens's water is 88% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 96% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Washington, it ranks #22 of 26 cities (52% below the state average of 33 PPM). Among cities (50k-100k), Lake Stevens ranks #250 of 258 for hardness.
What Lake Stevens's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 16 PPM - Low Concern
Lake Stevens's water is soft at just 16 PPM. That's good news for your plumbing, appliances, and skin. Scale buildup is a non-issue here, and a water softener would be a waste of money. Lake Stevens is softer than 96% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment in Lake Stevens, contaminant filtration is the place to invest.
Contaminants & Safety
Disinfection byproducts are the notable finding here. Lake Stevens's water has TTHMs at 31.2 ppb and HAA5 at 30.5 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
Lake Stevens's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 31.2 ppb (39% of the legal limit, but 208x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 30.5 ppb (51% of the legal limit, but 305x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.2 ppb, which is 10x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. 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) | 16 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 21 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 0 ppt | — | No total limit | ✓ ND |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 3.2 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 | Not reported | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | N/A |
Recommendations for Lake Stevens Homes
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.6 mg/L chlorine, many Lake Stevens 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 Lake Stevens
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 Lake Stevens Water District's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Lake Stevens's Water Supply
Water Utility: Lake Stevens Water District
Water Source: Lake Stevens & Snohomish PUD (Surface Water)
Population Served: 60,064
Hardness: 16 PPM (0.9 grains per gallon)
Lake Stevens's drinking water comes from surface sources — Lake Stevens & Snohomish PUD. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 60,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request Lake Stevens Water District'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 Lake Stevens Water District in Lake Stevens, WA, including ZIP codes:
98241, 98251, 98252, 98258, 98267, 98272, 98283, 98290, 98291, 98293, 98294
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Lake Stevens to Other Washington Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Stevens Water
Is Lake Stevens tap water safe to drink?
Where does Lake Stevens's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Lake Stevens?
What are disinfection byproducts in Lake Stevens's water?
Is chromium-6 in Lake Stevens's water?
Why does Lake Stevens water taste like chlorine?
Can I drink Lake Stevens tap water straight from the faucet?
How does Lake Stevens 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 Lake Stevens Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 16 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Lake Stevens's water data.