College Place water quality report shows full compliance, no violations in 2025
By Dan Thesman on Monday, June 29th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
COLLEGE PLACE — The city of College Place drinking water met all federal and state safety standards in 2025 with zero health or environmental violations, according to the city’s annual consumer confidence report released this month.
The municipality’s water division delivered 459 million gallons of safe drinking water to residents last year, drawing exclusively from four deep basalt wells within the city limits. Because the water from the deep aquifer is naturally protected by thick layers of volcanic rock and is centuries old, filtration and advanced chemical treatments are not required. Officials inject only a small amount of chlorine into the system to maintain cleanliness throughout the city’s 48 miles of distribution lines.
The report noted that fluoride is present in the municipal water at 0.52 milligrams per liter, which falls below the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended optimal level of 0.70 milligrams per liter. However, water managers emphasized that the fluoride is entirely naturally occurring and is not artificially added by the city.
Additionally, the city conducted ongoing testing for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS or “forever chemicals”. While localized testing showed trace detectable amounts of the manufacturing byproducts, the levels remained far below the most stringent health standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Washington State Department of Health.
“Compliance with all state and federal drinking water laws remains in good order,” the report stated, confirming that the tap water met all standards. Residents seeking further information can attend city council meetings held Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at College Place City Hall.
