Is Pasco, WA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Pasco tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 100 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Pasco Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Pasco Compares
Pasco's water is 28% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 56% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Washington, Pasco has the 2nd hardest water out of 26 cities - 203% above the state average of 33 PPM. Among mid-size cities (100k-200k), Pasco ranks #108 of 189 for hardness.
What Pasco's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 100 PPM - Low Concern
Pasco's water is firmly in the moderate range at 100 PPM. You'll see some spotting on glassware and a film on shower doors over time, but it's not the kind of hardness that demands a full softener. A salt-free conditioner is worth considering if you have a tankless water heater or high-end fixtures.
Contaminants & Safety
Disinfection byproducts are the notable finding here. Pasco's water has TTHMs at 28.7 ppb and HAA5 at 21.3 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
Pasco's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 28.7 ppb (36% of the legal limit, but 191x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 21.3 ppb (36% of the legal limit, but 213x 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 0.0618 ppb, which is 3.1x 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) | 100 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 151 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 | 1.9 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 0.7 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.41 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommendations for Pasco Homes
How to Test Your Water in Pasco
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 Pasco Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Pasco's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of Pasco Water
Water Source: Columbia River (Surface Water)
Population Served: 116,342
Hardness: 100 PPM (5.8 grains per gallon)
Pasco's drinking water comes from surface sources — Columbia River. 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 116,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Pasco 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 Pasco Water in Pasco, WA, including ZIP codes:
98857, 99105, 99301, 99302, 99323, 99326, 99330, 99333, 99335, 99341, 99343, 99344, 99348, 99359, 99360, 99361, 99363, 99371
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Pasco to Other Washington Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Pasco Water
Is Pasco tap water safe to drink?
Where does Pasco's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Pasco?
What is the hardness of Pasco water in grains per gallon?
What are disinfection byproducts in Pasco's water?
Is chromium-6 in Pasco's water?
Can I drink Pasco tap water straight from the faucet?
How does Pasco 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.