Tap Water Results

Is Burien, 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 Highline Water District.

3 public water systems serve parts of Burien. The largest, Highline Water District, serves 100,170 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Highline Water District

100,170 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID WA5340650

Buys treated water from King County Water District #49, Lakehaven Water and Sewer District, Tukwila Water Department, King County Water District #20, Seattle Public Utilities.

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

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: 1.4 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full Highline Water District results

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.

Burien homes and lead pipes

67%
of homes built before 1980 (Washington 43%, US 50%)
21%
built before 1950 (Washington 14%)
43%
of households rent (Washington 36%)

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 Burien city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Which system serves your ZIP code

Based on the ZIP codes each system reported serving. Boundaries don't follow ZIP lines exactly, so your water bill is the final word.

SystemZIP codes in Burien
Highline Water District
100,170 people
98148, 98166
King County Water District #20
48,469 people
98146, 98168

Other water systems serving Burien

  • King County Water District #20
    48,469 people · Purchased surface water · Washington · reported ZIPs here
    No PFAS above limits
  • King County Water District #49
    23,492 people · Purchased surface water · Washington · reported ZIPs here
    No PFAS above limits

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Des Moines 6 mi
Highline Water District
Highline Water DistrictNone above limits1.4 ppb
Renton 7 mi
City of Renton
City of RentonNone above limits1.9 ppb
Mercer Island 8 mi
City of Mercer Island
City of Mercer IslandNone above limits–
Kent 9 mi
Kent Water Department
Kent Water DepartmentNone above limits0 ppb
Seattle 10 mi
Seattle Public Utilities
Seattle Public UtilitiesNone above limits1.6 ppb
Federal Way 11 mi
Lakehaven Water and Sewer District
Lakehaven Water and Sewer DistrictNone above limits3.3 ppb

Questions

Is Burien tap water safe to drink?

Highline Water 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 Burien, WA?

3 public water systems serve parts of Burien. The largest is Highline Water District (100,170 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Burien tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Highline Water 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 Burien homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 67% of Burien 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. Highline Water 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.