EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT

Q: Is EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT water safe to drink?

EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT (PWS ID: WA5323650) has 267 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 1 PFAS compound found. This system serves 8,620 people using Groundwater sources.

Q: What type of violations does EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT have?

EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT has 267 total violations: 22 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 238 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.

Q: Has PFAS been detected in EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT water?

Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 1 PFAS compound in EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT's water supply: lithium. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.

Q: What water source does EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT use?

EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT uses Groundwater as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.

Q: Where does this data come from?

All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Reviewed byPlainWater Editorial, Drinking Water Quality Editorial Team · June 4, 2026

PWS ID: WA5323650 · Ephrata, Washington 98823

EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT serves 8,620 people in Ephrata, Washington using Groundwater water sources. It has 267 recorded EPA violations, including 22 health-based violations. PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in UCMR5 testing (1 compound found).

Water Quality Snapshot: EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT

EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 8,620 residents in Ephrata, Washington (Grant County) through 3,579 service connections. Its water is drawn from groundwater sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 267 total violations for this system , of which 22 (8%) are health-based — meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 238 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2024.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Coliform (TCR), recorded in 22 violations (MCL, health-based). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 1 PFAS compound was detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 25 ppt. PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.

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. EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT's 267 violations sit above the Washington average. Statewide, 98 of 247 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (39.7%). All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.

PFAS Detected

1 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.

Population Served

8,620

Total Violations

267

Health-Based Violations

Water Source

Groundwater

System Details

System Type: Community
Owner Type: Local
Connections: 3,579
County: Grant
School/Daycare: No
MCL Violations: 22
Monitoring Violations: 238
Treatment Tech Violations: 0

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant	Category	Count	Latest
Coliform (TCR)	MCL	22	2004
Diquat	MR	15	2005
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene	MR	9	2008
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene	MR	9	2008
DICHLOROMETHANE	MR	9	2008
o-Dichlorobenzene	MR	9	2008
1,2-Dichloroethane	MR	9	2008
Carbon tetrachloride	MR	9	2008
1,2-Dichloropropane	MR	9	2008
Trichloroethylene	MR	9	2008
Tetrachloroethylene	MR	9	2008
Benzene	MR	9	2008
Toluene	MR	9	2008
Styrene	MR	9	2008
p-Dichlorobenzene	MR	9	2008
Vinyl chloride	MR	9	2008
1,1-Dichloroethylene	MR	9	2008
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene	MR	9	2008
CHLOROBENZENE	MR	9	2008
1,1,1-Trichloroethane	MR	9	2008
1,1,2-Trichloroethane	MR	9	2008
Ethylbenzene	MR	9	2008
Nitrate	MR	8	2006
Consumer Confidence Rule	Other	7	2024
Heptachlor epoxide	MR	6	2005
Pentachlorophenol	MR	3	2020
Dalapon	MR	2	2020
Picloram	MR	2	2020
Dinoseb	MR	2	2020
2,4,5-TP	MR	2	2020

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 2 of 300 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant	Date	Result	MRL	Status
PFOA	6/24/2025	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
PFDoA	6/24/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFHxA	6/24/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFUnA	6/24/2025	<0.002 µg/L	0.002 µg/L	Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS	6/24/2025	<0.002 µg/L	0.002 µg/L	Not Detected
NMeFOSAA	6/24/2025	<0.006 µg/L	0.006 µg/L	Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS	6/24/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
PFNA	6/24/2025	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
PFHxS	6/24/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
ADONA	6/24/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFBS	6/24/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFDA	6/24/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
NEtFOSAA	6/24/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
PFTrDA	6/24/2025	<0.007 µg/L	0.007 µg/L	Not Detected
PFTA	6/24/2025	<0.008 µg/L	0.008 µg/L	Not Detected
PFHpA	6/24/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFHpS	6/24/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFOS	6/24/2025	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
HFPO-DA	6/24/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
NFDHA	6/24/2025	<0.02 µg/L	0.02 µg/L	Not Detected
PFPeS	6/24/2025	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
PFEESA	6/24/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFMBA	6/24/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFMPA	6/24/2025	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
8:2 FTS	6/24/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
PFBA	6/24/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
4:2 FTS	6/24/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFPeA	6/24/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
6:2 FTS	6/24/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS	4/23/2025	<0.002 µg/L	0.002 µg/L	Not Detected
ADONA	4/23/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS	4/23/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
HFPO-DA	4/23/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
PFUnA	4/23/2025	<0.002 µg/L	0.002 µg/L	Not Detected
PFHxA	4/23/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFDoA	4/23/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFDA	4/23/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFOA	4/23/2025	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
PFOS	4/23/2025	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
PFNA	4/23/2025	<0.004 µg/L	0.004 µg/L	Not Detected
PFHxS	4/23/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
lithium	4/23/2025	<9 µg/L	9 µg/L	Not Detected
PFBS	4/23/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFBA	4/23/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
PFHpS	4/23/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFHpA	4/23/2025	<0.003 µg/L	0.003 µg/L	Not Detected
PFTA	4/23/2025	<0.008 µg/L	0.008 µg/L	Not Detected
6:2 FTS	4/23/2025	<0.005 µg/L	0.005 µg/L	Not Detected
NFDHA	4/23/2025	<0.02 µg/L	0.02 µg/L	Not Detected
NMeFOSAA	4/23/2025	<0.006 µg/L	0.006 µg/L	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 EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT.

Federal Source of Truth

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 WA5323650 on SDWIS

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search

State Regulator

Washington Drinking Water Authority

Washington State Department of Health — Office of Drinking Water is the primacy agency that licenses and inspects EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT under EPA-delegated authority.

Open WA regulator portal

Source: 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
2024	Consumer Confidence Rule	Other	7	SDWIS / WA5323650 / 7000
2023	TTHM	MR	1	SDWIS / WA5323650 / 2950
2023	Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)	MR	1	SDWIS / WA5323650 / 2456
2020	Pentachlorophenol	MR	3	SDWIS / WA5323650 / 2326
2020	Dalapon	MR	2	SDWIS / WA5323650 / 2031
2020	Picloram	MR	2	SDWIS / WA5323650 / 2040
2020	Dinoseb	MR	2	SDWIS / WA5323650 / 2041
2020	2,4,5-TP	MR	2	SDWIS / WA5323650 / 2110
2008	1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene	MR	9	SDWIS / WA5323650 / 2378
2008	cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene	MR	9	SDWIS / WA5323650 / 2380
2008	DICHLOROMETHANE	MR	9	SDWIS / WA5323650 / 2964
2008	o-Dichlorobenzene	MR	9	SDWIS / WA5323650 / 2968
2008	1,2-Dichloroethane	MR	9	SDWIS / WA5323650 / 2980
2008	Carbon tetrachloride	MR	9	SDWIS / WA5323650 / 2982
2008	1,2-Dichloropropane	MR	9	SDWIS / WA5323650 / 2983

How EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT Compares

Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.

Metric	EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT	Washington avg	Federal benchmark
Total violations	267	69	SDWA compliance — any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations	22	4.5	Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection	1 compound	39.7%	EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served	8,620	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
Nitrate (as N)	10 mg/L	Acute health risk for infants

Frequently Asked Questions

Is EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT water safe to drink? ▼

EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT (PWS ID: WA5323650) has 267 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 1 PFAS compound found. This system serves 8,620 people using Groundwater sources.

How many people does EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT serve? ▼

EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT serves 8,620 people in Ephrata, Washington. It is a Local-owned system using Groundwater water sources with 3,579 service connections.

What type of violations does EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT have? ▼

EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT has 267 total violations: 22 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 238 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.

Has PFAS been detected in EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT water? ▼

Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 1 PFAS compound in EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT's water supply: lithium. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.

What water source does EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT use? ▼

EPHRATA WATER DEPARTMENT uses Groundwater as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.

Where does this data come from? ▼

All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

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Data Sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Q4 2025. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 monitoring program (2023-2025). This data is provided for informational purposes only.

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