Is Olympia, WA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Olympia tap water is legally compliant, but one contaminant exceeds health guidelines. Specifically: PFAS above EPA limits (PFOA: 4.3 ppt, PFOS: 5.8 ppt — limit is 4 ppt each). A point-of-use filter is recommended for drinking and cooking water.
Hardness Scale: Where Olympia Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Olympia Compares
Olympia's water is 88% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 95% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Washington, it ranks #20 of 26 cities (48% below the state average of 33 PPM). Among mid-size cities (100k-200k), Olympia ranks #178 of 189 for hardness.
What Olympia's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 17 PPM - Low Concern
Olympia's water is slightly hard at 17 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. Olympia is softer than 95% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment, contaminant filtration is where to focus your money, not softening.
Contaminants & Safety
Forever chemicals (PFAS) are worth watching here. Olympia has PFOA at 4.3 ppt and PFOS at 5.8 ppt, exceeding the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 ppt per compound. PFAS are synthetic compounds that accumulate in your body over time. A certified carbon filter or reverse osmosis system with NSF P473 certification is the most effective protection. See the regulatory timeline.
What's in the Treatment Process
Even though Olympia draws from groundwater, the treatment process still generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 8.22 ppb and HAA5 at 2.6 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 Olympia's aquifer geology at 0.197 ppb — 9.9x 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) | 17 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 39 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 21.95 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 4.3 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| ↳ PFOS | 5.8 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| Lead | 4.2 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 0.6 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.944 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommended Filter for Olympia
PFAS exceed EPA limits (PFOA: 4.3 ppt, PFOS: 5.8 ppt — limit: 4 ppt each). A certified filter reduces these contaminants effectively.
How to Test Your Water in Olympia
With PFAS at 21.95 ppt in Olympia's supply, confirming your home's specific levels is especially important. PFAS vary by neighborhood and can concentrate differently depending on your position in the distribution system.
Free option: Request City of Olympia Water Resources's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Olympia's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of Olympia Water Resources
Water Source: McAllister Springs, groundwater (Groundwater)
Population Served: 113,584
Hardness: 17 PPM (1 grains per gallon)
Olympia draws its drinking water from groundwater sources — McAllister Springs, groundwater. 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 114,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Olympia Water Resources'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 Olympia Water Resources in Olympia, WA, including ZIP codes:
98331, 98350, 98501, 98502, 98504, 98505, 98506, 98507, 98508, 98511, 98512, 98513, 98516, 98520, 98522, 98526, 98530, 98531, 98532, 98535, 98536, 98537, 98538, 98539, 98541, 98542, 98544, 98546, 98548, 98550, 98552, 98556, 98557, 98559, 98560, 98562, 98563, 98565, 98566, 98568, 98571, 98572, 98575, 98579, 98583, 98584, 98587, 98589, 98591, 98592, 98596, 98599
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Olympia to Other Washington Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Olympia Water
Is Olympia tap water safe to drink?
Where does Olympia's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Olympia?
How do I remove PFAS from Olympia tap water?
What water filter is best for Olympia?
Is Olympia water safe for babies and infants?
What are disinfection byproducts in Olympia's water?
Is chromium-6 in Olympia's water?
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 Olympia Homeowners Actually Buy
Prioritized for contaminant reduction for homes with 17 PPM water and PFAS above EPA limits.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Olympia's water data.