Tacoma – Washington – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your city
Tacoma Public Utilities serves approximately 370,000 residents across the greater Tacoma metropolitan area, including portions of Pierce County and surrounding communities. Established in 1893 as one of the nation’s first publicly owned utilities, the system encompasses over 1,100 miles of water distribution lines, multiple treatment facilities, and extensive storage infrastructure that delivers an average of 60 million gallons of drinking water daily throughout the Pacific Northwest’s third-largest city.
Tacoma sources its drinking water primarily from the pristine Green River Watershed located in the Cascade Mountains foothills, with supplemental groundwater wells serving as backup supply. The Green River provides over 95% of the city’s water supply, treated at the state-of-the-art Green River Filtration Facility completed in 2015. Tacoma’s water consistently meets all federal and state quality standards, though the utility faces ongoing challenges with aging infrastructure, emerging contaminants like PFAS, and conservation needs. The utility has implemented significant investments in advanced treatment technology, watershed protection, and customer assistance programs to ensure sustainable water service for future generations.
Tacoma Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- PFAS Monitoring: Tacoma Water has conducted comprehensive testing for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, with no regulated PFAS chemicals detected in the Green River supply. Low levels have been found in some groundwater wells, prompting selective operation and blending strategies.
- Testing Scope: Comprehensive water quality monitoring throughout the treatment and distribution system, including regular testing for disinfection byproducts, metals, and emerging contaminants to ensure compliance with all regulations.
- Compliance Status: Tacoma’s water consistently meets all federal and state drinking water standards, maintaining full compliance with EPA and Washington State Department of Health regulations for all regulated contaminants.
Water Sources
- Green River Watershed: Primary source (over 95% of supply) located in the protected Cascade Mountains foothills, spanning approximately 148,000 acres of forestland with natural filtration through pristine wilderness areas.
- South Tacoma Wellfield: Backup groundwater supply from over 20 wells providing approximately 5% of annual supply, with increased use during peak demand periods or drought conditions.
- Watershed Protection: Comprehensive 50-year Habitat Conservation Plan approved by federal agencies in 2001, protecting 32 fish and wildlife species while maintaining water quality through strict access controls and land management.
Advanced Treatment Technology
- Green River Filtration Facility: State-of-the-art treatment plant completed in 2015 with capacity to filter 150 million gallons per day, utilizing advanced multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and granular activated carbon filtration.
- Ozone Treatment: Advanced oxidation process using ozone disinfection to enhance taste and odor control while providing additional pathogen protection beyond conventional chlorine disinfection methods.
- Real-Time Monitoring: Continuous water quality monitoring throughout the treatment process and distribution system, with automated controls and alarm systems ensuring optimal treatment performance and immediate response to any variations.
Infrastructure Management
- Distribution System: Over 1,100 miles of water mains with ongoing replacement and upgrade programs focusing on aging infrastructure, leak detection, and pressure management to maintain system reliability.
- Storage and Pumping: Multiple reservoirs and pumping stations strategically located throughout the service area, including the recently decommissioned Portland Avenue Reservoir following the closure of the WestRock paper mill in 2024.
- PFAS Treatment Planning: Proactive development of treatment strategies for groundwater wells with detected PFAS levels, including engineering studies and implementation plans to ensure continued compliance with new federal regulations by 2029.
Customer Support and Conservation
Tacoma Public Utilities provides extensive customer support through various programs, including the Bill Credit Assistance Plan offering monthly credits for qualifying low-income households, payment arrangement options, and Budget Billing for predictable monthly payments. Conservation programs include rebates for water-efficient fixtures, smart irrigation technologies, and educational outreach to promote sustainable water use practices. The utility’s commitment to transparency includes regular water quality reports, public participation in planning processes, and responsive customer service available 24/7 for emergencies. With recent rate adjustments approved for 2025-2026 to address infrastructure needs and rising costs, Tacoma continues investing in treatment technology upgrades, distribution system improvements, and source water protection to ensure reliable, high-quality drinking water for current and future generations.
Recommendations for Tacoma Residents
Monitor Water Quality
Stay informed about your water quality by reviewing Tacoma Water’s regular quality reports and contacting customer service at (253) 502-8600 for any taste, odor, or pressure concerns. Consider testing if you have private wells or older plumbing systems.
Practice Water Conservation
Take advantage of Tacoma’s conservation rebate programs for water-efficient fixtures and appliances. Use drought-resistant landscaping and smart irrigation practices to reduce outdoor water use while maintaining beautiful gardens and lawns.
Consider Home Filtration
While Tacoma’s water meets all safety standards, homes may benefit from NSF-certified carbon filters (Standard 53) for taste improvement and additional peace of mind, especially for drinking and cooking water applications.
Apply for Bill Assistance
Qualify for the Bill Credit Assistance Plan if your household income is at or below 60% of area median income. This program provides automatic monthly credits plus additional credits for on-time payments. Visit mytpu.org or call (253) 502-8400 for applications.
Report Water Issues
Contact Tacoma Public Utilities customer service at (253) 502-8600 for water quality concerns, pressure problems, or service interruptions. Emergency services are available 24/7 for urgent issues like main breaks or safety concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tacoma’s tap water safe to drink?
Yes, Tacoma’s tap water meets all federal and state drinking water standards. The city’s water comes primarily from the pristine Green River Watershed in the Cascade Mountains, which provides natural filtration through protected forestland.
Tacoma Water operates one of the most advanced treatment facilities in the Pacific Northwest, completed in 2015 with capacity to filter 150 million gallons daily. The multi-barrier treatment process includes coagulation, sedimentation, granular activated carbon filtration, and ozone disinfection. Continuous monitoring throughout the treatment and distribution system ensures water quality meets or exceeds all regulatory requirements, with transparent reporting through regular water quality updates available to all customers.
What about PFAS in Tacoma’s water?
Tacoma Water has extensively tested for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) throughout its system:
Green River Supply: No regulated PFAS chemicals have been detected in the Green River, which provides over 95% of Tacoma’s water supply
Groundwater Wells: Some backup wells show low levels of PFAS, but Tacoma manages this by prioritizing Green River water and selectively operating wells with lower concentrations
Future Compliance: Tacoma is developing treatment plans for affected wells to ensure compliance with new EPA regulations taking effect in 2029
The utility’s proactive approach includes engineering studies and treatment system design to address PFAS before it becomes a regulatory requirement, ensuring continued safe drinking water for all customers.
Why are water rates increasing in Tacoma?
The Tacoma Public Utilities Board approved rate increases for 2025-2026 to address several factors:
• Infrastructure costs: Rising prices for materials and equipment, with transformer costs increasing nearly 300% since 2019
• Major customer loss: Closure of WestRock paper mill in 2024 eliminated the utility’s largest commercial water customer, requiring rate adjustments to maintain system operations
• System improvements: Ongoing investments in treatment technology, distribution system upgrades, and compliance with new regulations
• Rate increases: 6.3% annually for water bills, resulting in approximately $3-$3.50 monthly increase for average residential customers
Tacoma offers assistance programs including payment plans, Budget Billing, and the Bill Credit Assistance Plan for qualifying low-income households to help manage utility costs.
How does Tacoma protect its water source?
Tacoma protects the Green River Watershed through comprehensive management strategies:
Land Protection: Tacoma Water owns approximately 11% of the 148,000-acre watershed, with strategic holdings around the Green River and major tributaries
Access Control: Gates, guards, and agreements with federal, state, tribal, and private landowners strictly limit public and commercial access to minimize contamination risks
Habitat Conservation Plan: 50-year federal plan protecting 32 fish and wildlife species while maintaining water quality through forest management and environmental monitoring
Natural Filtration: The rugged, remote terrain provides natural protection, with precipitation filtered through pristine forests before reaching the river
This multi-layered protection ensures Tacoma’s primary water source remains among the highest quality in the nation, requiring minimal treatment while supporting regional ecosystems.
Contaminants of Concern
PFAS Compounds
Source: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from industrial processes, firefighting foams, and consumer products that can contaminate groundwater sources
Health Effects: Potential impacts on immune system, thyroid function, cholesterol levels, and increased risk of certain cancers with long-term exposure above safe levels
Current Status: No PFAS detected in Green River supply; low levels found in some backup wells with treatment planning underway EPA Limits: New federal regulations for six PFAS compounds require compliance by 2029
Disinfection Byproducts
Source: Formed when chlorine or other disinfectants react with naturally occurring organic matter in source water; levels vary seasonally with temperature and organic content
Health Effects: Long-term exposure to elevated levels may increase risk of certain cancers and potentially affect liver, kidney, and reproductive system function
Current Levels: Monitored regularly throughout distribution system with levels maintained well below EPA maximum contaminant levels through optimized treatment processes EPA Limits: 80 ppb for total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and 60 ppb for haloacetic acids (HAA5)
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