Ferndale, Washington Tap Water Quality

21,726 people served · 19 water systems

Fair

Ferndale, Washington is a small city with 21,726 residents served by a network of 19 public water systems. Water service covers ZIP code 98248.

Ferndale has documented several EPA health-based violations in the last five years. Residents may want to review which contaminants triggered the exceedances and consider point-of-use filtration for sensitive uses.

EPA reporting identifies Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and Nitrate among the regulated contaminants associated with Ferndale's recent health-based violations. Each contaminant has different sources, health implications, and recommended mitigation steps — links to the full EPA reference for each are listed alongside the violation history below.

Last updated: 2026-05-18 · Source: EPA SDWIS

Location

Loading map...

Centered on ZIP-code centroids of water systems serving this city.

ZIP Codes Served

98248

Health-Based Violations (Last 5 Years)

EPA Maximum Contaminant Level exceedances reported by water systems serving Ferndale. Each entry explains the contaminant, the health risk, and recommended precautions, and links to a full guide.

Nitratechemical

EPA Code 1040 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

violations

EPA Limit

10 mg/L

Last Reading

11.6 MG/L

First Reported

Jan 2024

Most Recent

Apr 2025

What this violation means

Nitrate contamination is most acute in agricultural regions where fertilizer and animal waste leach into groundwater. The immediate risk is to formula-fed infants under 6 months — high nitrate levels prevent their blood from carrying oxygen, causing 'blue baby syndrome.' Pregnant women should also avoid high-nitrate water.

Recommended precautions

→Never give untreated high-nitrate water to infants — use bottled water for formula.
→Boiling does NOT remove nitrate. Boiling concentrates it.
→Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, or distillation are the only effective home treatments.
→Private well owners in farming areas should test annually for nitrate.

Read the complete guide to Nitrate

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)disinfectant

EPA Code 2950 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

violations

EPA Limit

0.08 mg/L

Last Reading

99.5 UG/L

First Reported

Apr 2023

Most Recent

Jul 2023

What this violation means

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) form when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter — leaves, soil, algae — in source water. They are among the most commonly reported violations because utilities pulling from surface water (rivers, lakes, reservoirs) struggle to balance disinfection with byproduct formation. Long-term exposure has been linked to bladder cancer and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Recommended precautions

→Activated carbon filters (pitcher, faucet, or under-sink) effectively reduce TTHMs.
→Letting water sit uncovered allows TTHMs to off-gas — leave a pitcher in the fridge for several hours.
→Shower with the bathroom fan on; TTHMs can volatilize into the air during hot showers.
→Boiling reduces TTHMs through volatilization, but only after extended boiling.

Read the complete guide to Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Health-based violations only. Older violations may have been resolved; check your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report for current status.

Water Systems Serving Ferndale

GEORGIA MANOR WATER ASSOC

PWSID: WA5327450

81 served

BELFERN WATER ASSOCIATION

PWSID: WA5305370

228 served

EVERGREEN MOBILE PARK & SALES

PWSID: WA5324151

180 served

DOUBLE L MOBILE HOME PARK

PWSID: WA5319890

58 served

ENTERPRISE ESTATES WATER ASSOC.

PWSID: WA5323480

184 served

ENTERPRISE TERRACE WATER ASSN.

PWSID: WA5323485

95 served

FERNDALE ESTATES LLC

PWSID: WA5324840

85 served

2 violations

FERNDALE

PWSID: WA5324850

19,305 served

MANTHEYS COUNTRY MOBILE PARK

PWSID: WA5350900

120 served

NEPTUNE BEACH WATER ASSOC

PWSID: WA5358950

200 served

NORTH STAR WATER ASSOC

PWSID: WA5361350

140 served

ROYAL COACHMAN MOBIL EST

PWSID: WA5374705

37 served

RATHBONE PARK WATER ASSOC

PWSID: WA5371290

240 served

PLEASANT VALLEY WATER SYSTEM

PWSID: WA5367900

73 served

PARADISE PARK WATER SYSTEM

PWSID: WA5366116

200 served

ORCHARD WATER ASSOC

PWSID: WA5364150

165 served

WILLEYS LAKE TERRACE WATER ASSN

PWSID: WA5397110

180 served

3 violations

THORNTON WATER ASSOCIATION

PWSID: WA5388050

55 served

TALL CEDARS ESTATES WATER ASSOC.

PWSID: WA5387120

100 served

What Can You Do?

✅ Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — required by law.
✅ Use an NSF-certified water filter if violations involve lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
✅ Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if you have older plumbing (reduces lead).
✅ Check back monthly — we update data from the EPA every 30 days.

About this data

This overview reflects EPA SDWIS data published as of 2026-05-18. It covers active Community Water Systems (CWS) that exceeded federal Maximum Contaminant Levels during the past five-year EPA reporting window. For up-to-the-minute information, request a current Consumer Confidence Report from your utility, or review the EPA's public dashboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ferndale, Washington tap water safe to drink?▼

This city's water had several EPA violations in the last 5 years.

How many EPA violations does Ferndale have?▼

Ferndale has 5 EPA health-based water violations in the last 5 years across 19 water systems serving 21,726 people.

What contaminants have been found in Ferndale water?▼

The following EPA-regulated contaminants have been detected: 2950, 1040. View details about each contaminant, health effects, and recommended precautions above in the violations table.

Should I use a water filter in Ferndale?▼

Using an NSF-certified water filter is recommended if your area has violations involving lead, arsenic, or PFAS. For other contaminants, consult your local water utility. Check the annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for detailed guidance.

What should I do if there are violations in Ferndale?▼

Request your water utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), which is required by the EPA. Follow the utility's guidance on boil water advisories. Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if you have older plumbing. Use an NSF-certified filter if needed based on your water system's violations.