Is Bothell, WA tap water safe?
Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it
Summary
No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Northshore Utility District.
2 public water systems serve parts of Bothell. The largest, Northshore Utility District, serves 99,789 people. Your water bill names your system.
Largest system
Northshore Utility District
99,789 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID WA5340800
Buys treated water from City of Bothell Water, Alderwood Water District, City of Kirkland, Seattle Public Utilities, Lake Forest Park Water District, Woodinville Water District.
| PFAS | Highest average | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| PFOA Not detected | – | 4 ppt |
| PFOS Not detected | – | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
| PFNA Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.
Lead: 36 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 1992, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) No results since 1992
Health-based violations since 2016: 0
Across Washington, 20 of 245 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 17 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Washington results.
Bothell homes and lead pipes
Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.
Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Bothell city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.
Other water systems serving Bothell
- City of Bothell Water33,643 people · Purchased surface water · Washington · lists this cityNo PFAS above limits
How nearby cities compare
| City | PFAS | Lead (90th pct.) |
|---|---|---|
| Mountlake Terrace 5 mi City of Mountlake Terrace | None above limits | – |
| Kirkland 5 mi Northshore Utility District | None above limits | – |
| Lynnwood 6 mi City of Lynnwood | None above limits | – |
| Shoreline 7 mi Northshore Utility District | None above limits | – |
| Edmonds 7 mi City of Edmonds | None above limits | – |
| Redmond 8 mi City of Redmond Water System | None above limits | 2 ppb |
Bothell ZIP codes (2)
- 98011
- 98021
Questions
Is Bothell tap water safe to drink?
Northshore Utility District has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.
Who supplies water in Bothell, WA?
2 public water systems serve parts of Bothell. The largest is Northshore Utility District (99,789 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.
Does Bothell tap water have PFAS?
None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Northshore Utility District had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.
Do Bothell homes have lead pipes?
Census estimates put 27% of Bothell homes as built before 1980 (Washington: 43%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Northshore Utility District's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.
Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.