Reading the Water System Record as a Homeowner
Median Lead Levels in Bellingham Water
The EPA records for the Bellingham-Water Division City of (WA5305600) in Whatcom County report the 90th percentile of lead in plumbing samples at 0.0034 mg/L as of December 31, 2023. This value represents plumbing and distribution sampling, not the original source water concentration, and is well below the EPA action level for lead.
Compliance Status
According to EPA data, there is one recorded health-based violation associated with this system. This reflects a past or resolved compliance issue related to the public water system, not an ongoing unsafe condition at the tap for all users.
Seasonal and Multi-Year Variability in Water Quality Data
Sampling Dates and Frequency
The public water system sampling includes multiple data points over time. The December 2023 lead percentile figure is recent and part of ongoing monitoring to detect variation and long-term trends.
Interpreting Variation
Water quality can shift seasonally or from year to year due to changes in source water, treatment practices, and distribution system conditions. The public record’s range and repeated sampling help residents understand typical conditions and outlier events.
Steps to Evaluate Your Own Water Quality Needs
Start with Municipal Data
Reviewing the public water system record is the first step. It provides context on typical water chemistry and regulatory compliance at the system level but does not replace testing your home's water directly.
Confirm Plumbing and Tap Water Quality
Because lead presence is often influenced by household plumbing materials, homeowners should consider testing tap water specifically. This identifies if additional treatment or filtration is needed on site.
Consult Certified Laboratories
For definitive analysis, laboratories performing EPA-recognized methods can analyze samples for lead and other constituents relevant to health and aesthetics.
Understanding Terms in the Water Records
What 'Detected' Means
A detected concentration simply indicates presence above the instrument’s detection limit. This is not a violation or indication of unsafe water.
Median and Percentiles
The median value represents the middle of the dataset, while a 90th percentile means 90 percent of samples are at or below that level. These statistics show distribution but do not guarantee individual tap results.
Range of Values
The range gives the lowest and highest measured values. It reflects variability but does not show the frequency or exact timing of high values at any one home.
How Fleck System Treats Whole-Home Drinking Water
Targeted Lead Reduction
The Fleck Whole-Home + Drinking Combo System is designed to address contaminants commonly found in municipal water distribution and household plumbing. It reduces particulate and dissolved metals like lead through filtration and adsorption technologies.
Capacity of Treatment
This system has a grain capacity of 32,000, suitable for the volume demands of a typical household in Whatcom County, ensuring continuous treatment for drinking and general use.
How Lead Enters Drinking Water in Whatcom County
Surface Water Source and Distribution
Bellingham’s water source is surface water, treated and distributed through pipes that may include lead solder or fixtures in older buildings. Lead is not typically in the source but may leach in plumbing materials.
Household Plumbing Impact
Lead concentrations measured at sampling points often reflect household plumbing contributions rather than the source water. This explains why lead testing must include tap water samples from individual homes.
The Fleck Whole-Home + Drinking Combo System ships ready to configure, making it a convenient choice for residents wanting to ensure their entire home’s drinking water is treated effectively. With a 32,000 grain capacity, it matches typical household water use while addressing lead and other common concerns seen in the local water record.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2023-12-31. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA SDWIS record for BELLINGHAM-WATER DIVISION CITY OF (WA5305600), surface water supply, serving 141127 people: 1 health-based violations of 1 total; lead 90th percentile 0.0034 mg/L
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