Pierce, WA

High Risk (92/100)

Transparent derived index from EPA TRI / SDWIS / Superfund extracts: not an official EPA rating. Fixed caps: facilities ≤25 pts (50+ = max), log10 releases ≤25 pts, Superfund ≤25 pts (5/site), health-violation systems ≤15 pts (3/system), high-chemical facilities ≤10 pts. Bands: High ≥60, Moderate ≥30. See methodology. This is a different measure than the EJ Screening score for this county, which ranks it by percentile against other tracked counties rather than against these fixed caps.

Environmental data for Pierce in Washington · Population: 924,106

TRI sites such as Westrock Tacoma Mill; Emerald Services Inc; U.S. Army Joint Base Lewis-McChord; SDWIS systems such as PUYALLUP CITY OF; LAKEWOOD WATER DISTRICT; SOUTHWOOD; NPL sites such as American Lake Gardens/McChord AFB; Commencement Bay, Near Shore/Tide Flats; Commencement Bay, South Tacoma Channel anchor Pierce, WA's EPA extract. Derived burden score 92/100 (High Risk) uses fixed national caps on density, log release volume, Superfund count, and health-flagged systems - not an official EPA rating.

Health-flagged SDWIS rows in Pierce include LAKE OF THE WOODS COMMUNITY CLUB; RAINIER SCHOOL; MERIDIAN TERRACE MOBILE HOME PARK, while Westrock Tacoma Mill leads reported TRI pounds among local Form R filers. AQS median AQI 44 / peak 166 in 2024.

Burden score 92/100 (High Risk) is the only weighted composite on this page. The tables below list every TRI facility, SDWIS system, and Superfund site EPA has on record for Pierce -- not just the names called out above -- reproducing the disclosure history as filed, not a current-safety verdict. Extract current as of 2026-08-25.

Release-over-release change

What changed for Pierce, WA: EPA TRI 2023 reporting year

2022 → 2023

Same facilities, both years

-18.1%

34 facilities that filed in 2022 and 2023

Whole inventory

-18.1%

1.1 million lb → 909.0 thousand lb, every facility that filed

Between the two reporting years, 1 facility filed for the first time and 2 stopped filing. Facilities entering or leaving the inventory are excluded from the same-facility comparison above.

  • Pierce, WA's total reported releases fell from 1.1 million lb in 2022 to 909.0 thousand lb in 2023, based on EPA TRI filings.
  • Pierce, WA's water releases fell from 88.0 thousand lb in 2022 to 54.6 thousand lb in 2023, based on EPA TRI filings.
  • Pierce, WA's air releases fell from 578.2 thousand lb in 2022 to 467.0 thousand lb in 2023, based on EPA TRI filings.
  • Pierce, WA's off-site transfers fell from 308.3 thousand lb in 2022 to 264.4 thousand lb in 2023, based on EPA TRI filings.
County population (Census ACS)
924,106
TRI Facilities
41
Water Systems
222
Superfund Sites
8
Total Releases
6.3M lbs

Air Quality History (2020–2024)

EPA Air Quality Index (AQI) data showing how many days per year fall into each air quality category.

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy (SG) Max AQI
2024 265 (72%) 100 0 166
2023 273 (75%) 89 0 195
2022 239 (65%) 115 9 178
2021 269 (74%) 96 0 94
2020 256 (70%) 99 4 256
2024 Good Air Quality: 72% of days
Unhealthy days: 1
Median AQI: 44

Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) Annual AQI by County AQI categories: Good (0-50), Moderate (51-100), Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150), Unhealthy (151-200), Very Unhealthy (201-300), Hazardous (301+)

For real-time air quality readings and pollutant breakdowns in Washington, see the EPA's AirNow.gov.

Water Systems (222)

System System pop (SDWIS) Violations
PUYALLUP CITY OF 94,520 0
LAKEWOOD WATER DISTRICT 82,425 0
SOUTHWOOD 64,155 0
BONNEY LAKE WATER DEPARTMENT CITY 43,371 0
FIRGROVE MUTUAL INC 36,168 0
JBLM Lewis 35,414 0
SPANAWAY WATER COMPANY 34,506 0
FIFE DEPT OF PUBLIC WORKS 29,091 0
SUMMIT WATER & SUPPLY CO 19,125 0
GIG HARBOR WATER DEPT 16,510 0
SUMNER CITY OF 16,438 0
FRUITLAND MUTUAL WATER COMPANY 15,313 0
DUPONT WATER SYSTEM CITY OF 13,141 0
ORTING CITY OF 10,332 0
MOUNTAIN VIEW-EDGEWOOD WATER CO 9,680 0
STEILACOOM TOWN OF 8,545 0
MILTON CITY OF 8,078 0
FIRCREST CITY OF 7,927 0
BUCKLEY WATER 7,842 0
PEACOCK HILL 7,401 0
JBLM McChord Field 7,290 0
ARTONDALE 5,828 0
POINT EVANS 5,211 0
MINTERBROOK 5,083 0
EATONVILLE WATER DEPT 3,945 0
PARKVIEW TERRACE 3,730 0
HORIZONS WEST 3,454 0
Fox Island Mutual Water Assoc 3,255 0
STROHS 3,192 0
CEDAR CREST 2,954 0
OLYMPIC MALL 2,681 0
VALLEY WATER SYSTEM 2,259 0
MIRRORMONT 2,083 0
VIEW ROYAL WATER SYSTEM 2,069 0
PALMER LAKE 1,924 0
CANTERWOOD WATER SYSTEM 1,805 0
LAKE MINTERWOOD 1,539 0
TAPPS ISLAND WATER SYSTEM 1,501 0
GRAHAM HILL MUTUAL WATER CO INC 1,440 0
LAKE JOSEPHINE RIVIERA 1,380 0
EVERGREEN SHORES 1,329 0
ROY CITY OF 1,214 0
WASHINGTON STATE CORRECTIONS-WOMEN 1,205 0
ASHFORD WATER DISTRICT 1,141 0
QUISTORFF 1,113 0
SUNSHINE ACRES 1,074 0
WILKESON WATER DEPARTMENT 1,071 0
HOLIDAY RANCHETTES 1,050 0
The Buttes 973 0
COUNTRY/ELDORADO WATER SYSTEM 915 0
LAKE LAWRENCE 914 0
CARBONADO WATER DEPT 875 0
LAKE OF THE WOODS COMMUNITY CLUB 870 1
ROSEDALE EAST 798 0
ALDERWOOD ESTATES 635 0
LACAMAS FARMSTEADS 615 0
WICKS LAKE RANCHES 615 0
MCKENNA WATER DISTRICT 600 0
RAFT ISLAND 575 0
KEY CENTER WATER SYSTEM 561 0
RAINIER SCHOOL 556 4
FOXHALL 549 0
SHORE ACRES WATER COMPANY 540 0
BETHEL GREEN ACRES WATER ASSN 522 0
ROLLING FIRS EVERGREEN TERRACE 514 0
SOUTH FOX ISLAND WATER SYSTEM 493 0
SOUTH PRAIRIE TOWN OF 489 0
S & I 482 0
CLASSIC HEIGHTS 480 0
CHINOOK ESTATES 455 0
ROSEDALE HEIGHTS TRAILER PARK 444 0
HENDERSON BOULEVARD 418 0
ALLYN SHOPPING CENTER 414 0
EAST GIG HARBOR WATER DISTRICT 410 0
OLYMPIC SUNSET WEST 410 0
BUCKLIN 402 0
ALPINE HILLS 363 0
Sierra Water System 355 0
WINCHESTER MOBILE HOMES WATER 350 0
BLACK LAKE ESTATES 329 0
ROSEMOUNT 320 0
PARADISE ESTATES WATER DEPT INC 309 0
ANDREWS FIRST 299 0
SHORECREST 289 0
RIVER PARK 277 0
ORCAS HIGHLANDS 260 0
Cole 257 0
OLALLA 239 0
KOPACHUCK 236 0
NELSON RIDGE 232 0
MERIDIAN TERRACE MOBILE HOME PARK 229 1
CAMELOT AND WESTERN SKIES 228 0
CRISTALINA 225 0
JACKSON LAKE SOUTH 225 0
GLEN COVE WATER INC. 223 0
WOLLOCHET HARBOR CLUB INC 221 0
STRATTONWOOD 220 0
NISQUALLY PARK 218 0
SHAWS COVE 217 0
WEATHERSWOOD VISTA WATER DISTRICT 210 0
POINT FOSDICK 209 0
PINE LAKE MOBILE HOME EST 1 3 207 0
FOREST BEACH WATER SYSTEM 204 0
MOUNTAIN PARK WATER SYSTEM 198 0
HILLCREST MOBILE HOME PARK 198 0
LEE 193 0
HARBOR HEIGHTS 188 0
KOPACHUCK RIDGE WATER DISTRICT 185 0
RANCH 183 0
PARKSHORE ESTATES 183 0
Fieldstone Memory Care Bainbridge 175 0
HINTZVILLE ACRES 170 0
CEDAR GROVE 156 0
DRIFTWOOD VALLEY ASSOC (DVA) 151 0
JOHANSON 148 0
ISRAEL PLACE SAN ANGELO PARK 146 0
GLENWOOD STATION 144 0
LITTLE TREE 143 0
DRIFTWOOD POINT WATER SYSTEM 143 0
LAKE TUCK 143 0
MAINLAND VIEW MANOR 143 0
FOREST HILLS WATER SYSTEM 140 0
HOLLY TIDES 140 0
AGOTARAS WATER SYSTEM 138 0
MINTER CREEK RAPIDS 137 0
CAMP BENBOW 130 0
FOREST PARK 127 0
CRESTVIEW MOBILE MANOR 123 0
REGENCY PARK 123 0
FOREST PARK WATER SYSTEM 120 0
CEDARWOOD SOUTH UNION ESTATES 119 0
CASCADE HIGHLANDS NORTH 119 0
FOSS ROAD 119 0
MINTER BEACH ESTATES 116 0
THREE PONDS MOBILE PARK & APTS. 113 0
MADRONA POINT 111 0
ROYALWOOD 111 0
SEA VIEW 111 0
BURNETT WATER DISTRICT 109 0
RANCH ACRE 109 0
HOMESTEAD ACRES 109 0
CUYAMACA VILLAGE 106 0
MAY VOLT HILLS 106 0
CLEAR CREEK ESTATES 101 0
BAR B ESTATE MANOR 96 0
ROSEDALE COMMUNITY CLUB 96 0
COUNTRY CORNER MOBILE HOME PARK 95 0
RIVERVIEW 95 0
ASPINWALL ESTATES 93 0
CEDARBROOK 93 0
CASCADE HIGHLANDS 93 0
CRESCENT VALLEY #333 91 0
RONDELAY MEADOWS 90 0
GOLDEN MEADOW 90 0
MCGEE GUEST HOME 88 0
GLENWOOD FARMS 1 EAST 87 0
CREEKSIDE MEADOWS DIVISION II 85 0
LIBBY ROAD EAST 85 0
PURDY ACRES EAST 85 0
SHAWNEE HILLS WATER SYSTEM 83 0
WINCHESTER HEIGHTS 80 0
SILVER SPRINGS ESTATES 80 0
SPRUCE ROAD 80 0
MARTENS ADD MUTUAL WATER ASSOC 79 0
FOUR CORNERS 77 0
OLYMPIC WATER SYSTEM 75 0
LOOKOUT POINT 72 0
KAPOWSIN WATER DISTRICT 70 48
PINEWOOD GLEN MUTUAL WATER ASSN 70 0
SOUTHCREEK #1 69 0
PACIFIC VENTURES 69 0
MOORELAND WATER CORP 68 0
BELWOOD PARK 66 0
SIVO ACRES 66 0
WAUNA EASLEY 66 0
RYANWOOD 64 0
HARBOR LIGHTS MOBILE RESORT 63 1
KEY RIDGE WATER SYSTEM 63 0
CURRIES LANDING 61 0
GREENWOOD ESTATES 61 0
HENDERSON BAY 61 0
SKOOKUM RANCH 60 0
PIRNIE ROAD 60 0
KOOLEY S HARBOR ESTATES 58 0
PHELPS ROAD 58 0
MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY APARTMENTS 56 0
PINE ROAD ESTATES 55 0
WINDDRIFT WELL 53 0
EAGLE ESTATES 53 0
KAREN PLACE 53 0
DELTA LONG LK ACRE TRACTS 53 0
CRESCENT PARK 53 0
WHITEMAN COVE WATER DISTRICT 53 0
RAINIER VILLA 51 0
RAINWOOD 48 0
GLENWOOD FARMS 2 WEST 48 0
MUCK CREEK HILL 46 0
KUZMANICH WATER SYSTEM 45 0
INLETS END 45 0
SUNNYVIEW TERRACE ASSOCIATION INC 45 0
WALTER WALKER WATER WORKS 42 0
SEHMEL ROAD 42 0
SUMMERHILL 42 0
ELKHORN WATER DISTRICT 41 0
MINTER VIEW WATER SYSTEM 40 0
VINSON S VILLA MHP/ROY WYE INN 40 0
LONG LAKE VIEW EST 1 39 0
LITTLE CEDAR PARK 38 0
GREENBRIAR 37 0
CRYSTAL SPRINGS 37 0
SCHMID 37 0
VERDAN ANDERSON HILL 37 0
BROOKDALE OWNERS ASSOCIATION 35 0
NORTHWOODS 35 0
WALDEN WATER 34 0
RED CEDAR ESTATES 34 0
ROCKY BAY 34 0
BROOKHAVEN 32 0
Puyallup River RV Park 31 0
BEAU VIEW WATER 30 0
CLARK & OWENS WATER SYSTEM 26 0
CLARKS CREEK LLC 20 0

TRI Facilities (41)

# Facility Total Releases
1 Westrock Tacoma Mill 2.7M lbs
2 Emerald Services Inc 924.5K lbs
3 U.S. Army Joint Base Lewis-McChord 755.3K lbs
4 Burlington Environmental LLC 624.4K lbs
5 US Oil & Refining Co 526.5K lbs
6 Arclin Surfaces LLC 226.8K lbs
7 Toray Composite Materials America 143.0K lbs
8 Bradken Energy 126.0K lbs
9 Boeing Commercial Airplanes-Frederickson 70.8K lbs
10 Milgard Manufacturing LLC Tacoma Pultrusion 45.8K lbs
11 Rainier Plywood Co 16.8K lbs
12 General Plastics Manufacturing Co 12.8K lbs
13 Stella-Jones Corp 9.5K lbs
14 Phillips 66 Tacoma Terminal 8.3K lbs
15 Superior Wood Treating 7.3K lbs
16 Western Wood Preserving Co 4.3K lbs
17 Sonoco Products Co 2.4K lbs
18 Georgia-Pacific Gypsum LLC 2.0K lbs
19 Pabco Roofing Products 1.5K lbs
20 Carlson Paving Products Inc 460 lbs
21 James Hardie Building Products Tacoma 406 lbs
22 Rainier Ballistics LLC 403 lbs
23 Caraustar Tacoma Paperboard 335 lbs
24 James Hardie Building Products 216 lbs
25 Associated Petroleum Products Inc 149 lbs
26 Pacific Functional Fluids 90 lbs
27 Carlisle Construction Materials LLC 34 lbs
28 Northwest Etch 27 lbs
29 Pexco LLC 9 lbs
30 Northstar Chemical 7 lbs
31 Airgas USA LLC 5 lbs
32 Jci Jones Chemicals Inc 4 lbs
33 Central Premix Concrete Products Co 1 lbs
34 Quikrete - Seattle Wa Plant 1 lbs
35 Glacier Northwest Inc Tacoma Plant 0 lbs
36 Glacier Northwest Inc Dupont Plant 0 lbs
37 Basalite 0 lbs
38 Baxter Manufacturing a Div of Itw-Food Equipment Group 0 lbs
39 Bradken Inc 0 lbs
40 Specialty Products Inc 0 lbs
41 American Water Joint Base Lewis-McChord Solo Point WWTP 0 lbs

Superfund Sites (8)

Site Name Status HRS Score
American Lake Gardens/McChord AFB NPL Site 28.90
Commencement Bay, Near Shore/Tide Flats NPL Site 42.20
Commencement Bay, South Tacoma Channel NPL Site 54.63
Fort Lewis (Landfill No. 5) Deleted NPL Site 33.79
Fort Lewis Logistics Center NPL Site 35.48
Hidden Valley Landfill (Thun Field) NPL Site 37.93
Lakewood NPL Site 42.49
McChord Air Force Base (Wash Rack/Treatment Area) Deleted NPL Site 42.24

Cities in Pierce (30)

Tacoma
31 facilities · 129 water
Sumner
3 facilities · 1 water
Puyallup
2 facilities · 20 water
Dupont
2 facilities · 1 water
Lakewood
1 facilities · 2 water
Orting
1 facilities · 2 water
Jblm
1 facilities · 0 water
Gig Harbor
0 facilities · 36 water
Spanaway
0 facilities · 6 water
Buckley
0 facilities · 5 water
Graham
0 facilities · 4 water
Ashford
0 facilities · 2 water
Joint Base Lewis-mcchord
0 facilities · 2 water
Lake Tapps
0 facilities · 2 water
Anderson Island
0 facilities · 1 water
Carbonado
0 facilities · 1 water
Eatonville
0 facilities · 1 water
Edgewood
0 facilities · 1 water
Fife
0 facilities · 1 water
Fircrest
0 facilities · 1 water
Fox Island
0 facilities · 1 water
Mckenna
0 facilities · 1 water
Milton
0 facilities · 1 water
Roy
0 facilities · 1 water
South Prairie
0 facilities · 1 water
Steilacoom
0 facilities · 1 water
University Place
0 facilities · 1 water
Wilkeson
0 facilities · 1 water
Pierce County
0 facilities · 0 water
Tillicum
0 facilities · 0 water

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the environmental risk level in Pierce, Washington?
Pierce, WA has an environmental risk score of 92/100 (High Risk), based on 41 TRI facilities, 8 Superfund sites, and 222 water systems on record. 5 water systems have health-based violations. Source: EPA TRI, SDWIS, and Superfund NPL.
Are there Superfund sites in Pierce?
Yes, Pierce, WA has 8 Superfund sites on the EPA National Priorities List (NPL). Superfund sites are contaminated locations that require long-term cleanup under the EPA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
How many toxic release facilities are in Pierce?
Pierce, WA has 41 TRI-reporting facilities on record with the EPA Toxic Release Inventory, with a combined total of 6.3M lbs in reported toxic releases. TRI facilities self-report annual chemical release data to the EPA.
What is the air quality in Pierce?
In 2024, Pierce, WA recorded a median AQI of 44 and a peak AQI of 166. 72% of monitored days had "Good" air quality (AQI 0–50). Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) Annual AQI by County.
Is the drinking water safe in Pierce?
Pierce, WA has 222 EPA-regulated water systems. 5 systems have reported health-based violations (MCL exceedances). A past violation does not necessarily mean water is currently unsafe. For current water quality, contact your local water utility. Source: EPA SDWIS.
What environmental agencies cover Pierce?
Environmental compliance in Pierce, Washington is overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the federal level and the Washington state environmental agency. Facilities report to the EPA Toxic Release Inventory, water systems are regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and contaminated sites are managed under the Superfund program. Contact your state environmental agency for local concerns.

What does this county environmental profile show?

This county environmental profile rolls up EPA Toxics Release Inventory facility reports, Safe Drinking Water Information System public-water-system filings, and Superfund National Priorities List sites for the county boundary defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. Facility counts reflect facilities with a reporting address inside the county, not where downstream environmental effects may be observed. Population figures are from the most recent Census ACS 5-year estimate. The county detail page is updated whenever the upstream EPA programs publish revised data; see the methodology page for the documented ingest cadence and the editorial choices governing how aggregations are computed.

Related

Data sourced from U.S. EPA environmental datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainEnviro