Water System

The City of Pullman obtains its groundwater supply from the Pullman-Moscow Groundwater Basin. The Basin also serves the City of Moscow, Washington State University, the University of Idaho, Colfax, Palouse and other rural residents in Whitman and Latah Counties. The water supply for the basin is withdrawn from several different geologic formations within the Columbia River Basalt group, the most productive of which is the Grande Ronde Basalt. When the first wells were drilled in the late 1800s, the aquifers were artesian, rising to as much as 25 feet above the ground surface. Today, however, groundwater levels are declining, causing the basin to become the subject of numerous published studies, beginning in 1897 and continuing to the present. The City has implemented many water conservation measures over the years in an effort to reduce its impact on the aquifer.

Water Quality

The City of Pullman's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) is published annually and provides information about regulated compounds that have been detected in our drinking water, and additional information about drinking water sources, protection, treatment, testing, and compliance. The CCR provides information about regulated compounds, plus information about compounds that were not detected, and compounds that are not regulated or that relate to the aesthetics of the drinking water.

The compounds listed in the CCR are divided into one of three groups:

• Primary Standards, which relate to public health. The public is notified if any of these levels are exceeded.
• Secondary Standards, which relate to aesthetic qualities such as taste, odor, and appearance.
• Unregulated compounds, which are monitored in the interest of our customers, or to assist regulators in developing future regulations.

*The CCR report is published annually based on information collected
  during the previous calendar year.

2021 Consumer Confidence Water Report
2020 Consumer Confidence Water Report
2019 Consumer Confidence Water Report
2018 Consumer Confidence Water Report
2017 Consumer Confidence Water Report
2016 Consumer Confidence Water Report
2015 Consumer Confidence Water Report

Water Discoloration
If  you are experiencing water discoloration, there has likely been a disturbance within the water system that changed the direction or rate of flow in the City water main. Use of a fire hydrant, changes to the water operating system, or even a large volume of water being used during a short period, i.e. irrigation system or pool filling are all activities that can create these changes within the water system. Discolored water is created by internal pipe rust and sediment that typically resides in the bottom of mains being stirred up, and delivered through your residential faucet.

The water should clear on its own, to help this process along, flush cold water taps for a few minutes. If the water does not clear, let the water sit for 1 to 2 hours.Then run cold water for a few minutes in your bathtub or shower. 

Avoid running hot water if the cold water is still discolored, once discolored water enters your hot water tank, it remains there until the entire tank has had opportunity to empty through use. If you are experiencing discoloration from your hot water only, and the cold taps run clear, you may be experiencing an issue with your hot water heater.

Water discoloration experienced from these types of occurrences, while not aesthetically pleasing, is also typically not harmful.