Silverdale Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Silverdale Water District 16 (SWD16) serves approximately 21,411 residents in Silverdale, Kitsap County, Washington, with offices at 5300 NW Newberry Hill Rd., Suite 100 (contact: 360-447-3500 or info@swd16.org). The utility sources its drinking water entirely from groundwater wells — no named reservoirs or rivers are involved in its supply. Treatment likely involves standard groundwater disinfection and basic filtration. Water quality monitoring has identified potential contaminants including Radium, Phenanthrene, Lead, and Vanadium; recent concerns include PFAS detected in some Silverdale wells at nearly three times the Washington State Department of Health's recommended levels in certain affected communities.

The groundwater originates from local Kitsap County aquifers embedded in Pleistocene glacial deposits — outwash sands and gravels from the Vashon Glaciation of the Fraser Glaciation — overlying Tertiary basalts and sediments of the Puget Lowland, including the Seattle Fault Zone's submarine basalt and sedimentary rocks. Unlike surface water systems softened by rainfall dilution, this geology — rich in contact with mineral-bearing glacial tills and underlying volcanic rocks — imparts a hard character through natural dissolution of calcium and magnesium ions during subsurface flow.

Hard water causes scale buildup in pipes, heaters, and appliances, most affecting water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines where efficiency drops and energy costs rise. Regular descaling of fixtures, vinegar soaks for showerheads, and checking for white deposits on faucets are recommended maintenance steps. A water softener is recommended for households noticing soap scum, dry skin, or spotting on glassware to mitigate these effects and extend appliance life. Full details on pH and lead/copper rule compliance require the latest Consumer Confidence Report from SWD16.