Community Water System · PWS WA5321900
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, Washington 99004 - drinking water served from groundwater sources to 17,108 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.
- 17,108
- People served
- 39
- EPA violations
- 0
- Health-based
- No PFAS
- UCMR5 result
The verdict
EPA records 39 drinking-water violations at Eastern Washington University - below the Washington per-system average.
- 39
- Total EPA violations on record
- 0%
- Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
- 17,108
- People served by this system
- 0
- PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)
Water Quality Snapshot: Eastern Washington University
Eastern Washington University is a state-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 17,108 residents in Cheney, Washington (Spokane County) through 1,261 service connections. Its water is drawn from groundwater sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 39 total violations for this system , of which 0 (0%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 39 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2016.
The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Coliform (TCR), recorded in 7 violations (MR). This system was sampled under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program and no PFAS compounds were detected above the minimum reporting level.
Across Washington, EPA tracks 4,557 public water systems serving 9,736,844 people, with 314,648 cumulative violations and 20,590 health-based violations on record. About 92% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 69 violations. Statewide, 98 of 247 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (39.7%).
Eastern Washington University's 39 violations sit below the Washington average.
All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.
System Details
- System Type
- Community
- Owner Type
- State
- Connections
- 1,261
- County
- Spokane
- School/Daycare
- No
- MCL Violations
- 0
- Monitoring Violations
- 39
- Treatment Tech Violations
- 0
Violation History
Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.
| Contaminant | Category | Count | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coliform (TCR) | MR | 7 | 1992 |
| TTHM | MR | 5 | 2015 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | MR | 5 | 2015 |
| Barium | MR | 2 | 2014 |
| Chromium | MR | 2 | 2014 |
| Fluoride | MR | 2 | 2014 |
| Mercury | MR | 2 | 2014 |
| Nitrate | MR | 2 | 2016 |
| Cadmium | MR | 2 | 2014 |
| Arsenic | MR | 2 | 2014 |
| Selenium | MR | 2 | 2014 |
| Nickel | MR | 1 | 2014 |
| Antimony, Total | MR | 1 | 2014 |
| Beryllium, Total | MR | 1 | 2014 |
| Nitrite | MR | 1 | 2014 |
| Thallium, Total | MR | 1 | 2014 |
| CYANIDE | MR | 1 | 2014 |
PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)
Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 0 of 58 samples detected PFAS.
| Contaminant | Date | Result | MRL | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFHxA | 8/6/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFUnA | 8/6/2024 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 11Cl-PF3OUdS | 8/6/2024 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 9Cl-PF3ONS | 8/6/2024 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| ADONA | 8/6/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| HFPO-DA | 8/6/2024 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeA | 8/6/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDoA | 8/6/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBA | 8/6/2024 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMPA | 8/6/2024 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDA | 8/6/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOA | 8/6/2024 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOS | 8/6/2024 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFNA | 8/6/2024 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxS | 8/6/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpA | 8/6/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBS | 8/6/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMBA | 8/6/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 4:2 FTS | 8/6/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NMeFOSAA | 8/6/2024 | <6.00 ppt | 6.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 8:2 FTS | 8/6/2024 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 6:2 FTS | 8/6/2024 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFEESA | 8/6/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NEtFOSAA | 8/6/2024 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTrDA | 8/6/2024 | <7.00 ppt | 7.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTA | 8/6/2024 | <8.00 ppt | 8.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpS | 8/6/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeS | 8/6/2024 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NFDHA | 8/6/2024 | <20.00 ppt | 20.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFEESA | 2/5/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxS | 2/5/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDA | 2/5/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOA | 2/5/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOS | 2/5/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFNA | 2/5/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDoA | 2/5/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpA | 2/5/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBS | 2/5/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpS | 2/5/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxA | 2/5/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NFDHA | 2/5/2025 | <20.00 ppt | 20.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMBA | 2/5/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeS | 2/5/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 4:2 FTS | 2/5/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeA | 2/5/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFUnA | 2/5/2025 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 8:2 FTS | 2/5/2025 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 6:2 FTS | 2/5/2025 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBA | 2/5/2025 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| HFPO-DA | 2/5/2025 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
Verify This Water System
The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records, or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status, go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for Eastern Washington University.
EPA SDWIS, Federal Reports
EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:
View PWS ID WA5321900 on SDWISSource: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search
Washington Drinking Water Authority
Washington State Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water is the primacy agency that licenses and inspects Eastern Washington University under EPA-delegated authority.
Open WA regulator portalSource: Washington State Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water
Violation Timeline
Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.
| Year (latest) | Contaminant | Category | Count | EPA Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Nitrate | MR | 2 | SDWIS / WA5321900 / 1040 |
| 2015 | TTHM | MR | 5 | SDWIS / WA5321900 / 2950 |
| 2015 | Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | MR | 5 | SDWIS / WA5321900 / 2456 |
| 2014 | Barium | MR | 2 | SDWIS / WA5321900 / 1010 |
| 2014 | Chromium | MR | 2 | SDWIS / WA5321900 / 1020 |
| 2014 | Fluoride | MR | 2 | SDWIS / WA5321900 / 1025 |
| 2014 | Mercury | MR | 2 | SDWIS / WA5321900 / 1035 |
| 2014 | Cadmium | MR | 2 | SDWIS / WA5321900 / 1015 |
| 2014 | Arsenic | MR | 2 | SDWIS / WA5321900 / 1005 |
| 2014 | Selenium | MR | 2 | SDWIS / WA5321900 / 1045 |
| 2014 | Nickel | MR | 1 | SDWIS / WA5321900 / 1036 |
| 2014 | Antimony, Total | MR | 1 | SDWIS / WA5321900 / 1074 |
| 2014 | Beryllium, Total | MR | 1 | SDWIS / WA5321900 / 1075 |
| 2014 | Nitrite | MR | 1 | SDWIS / WA5321900 / 1041 |
| 2014 | Thallium, Total | MR | 1 | SDWIS / WA5321900 / 1085 |
How Eastern Washington University Compares
Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.
| Metric | Eastern Washington University | Washington avg | Federal benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total violations | 39 | 69 | SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach |
| Health-based violations | 0 | 4.5 | Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL |
| PFAS detection | None | 39.7% | EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt |
| Population served | 17,108 | 2,137 | Sizing context for compliance burden |
Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 4,557 regulated public water systems in Washington.
Federal MCL reference, Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds ▼
| Contaminant | Federal MCL / Action Level | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) | Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique |
| Arsenic | 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) | Health-based MCL since 2006 |
| Total Coliform | Treatment technique (RTCR) | Indicator organism, monitoring trigger |
| PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) | 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) | Compliance deadline 2029 (EPA proposed extending to 2031, not yet final as of May 2026) |
| Nitrate (as N) | 10 mg/L | Acute health risk for infants |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eastern Washington University water safe to drink? ▼
How many people does Eastern Washington University serve? ▼
What type of violations does Eastern Washington University have? ▼
Has PFAS been detected in Eastern Washington University water? ▼
What water source does Eastern Washington University use? ▼
Where does this data come from? ▼
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Every figure on PlainWater is rendered directly from EPA SDWIS drinking-water data, no number is typed in by an editor. This system's figures are rendered directly from EPA SDWIS data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.