Water Quality in Cave Junction, OR: 85 Violations — Grade B
Grade B · Score 80/100 · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-05-03
Cave Junction's water is mostly safe. Minor violations exist but are primarily monitoring-related.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-05-03
EPA files for Cave Junction, OR document 85 water violations — a record that encompasses health-based exceedances, monitoring and reporting failures, and any other compliance events registered for local public water systems across all available federal compliance records for this area.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Cave Junction
Water quality varies across Cave Junction's 1 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97523 | B | 80 | 85 | 15 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Cave Junction.
Water Quality Overview
Cave Junction, Oregon receives a water quality grade of B with an overall score of 80 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
The 3 water systems serving Cave Junction have accumulated 85 EPA violations, including 15 health-based violations. These violations are tracked across 1 ZIP codes serving approximately 2,593 people.
What Grade B Means
A grade of B indicates good compliance with EPA drinking water standards. While not perfect, Cave Junction's water systems meet the vast majority of federal requirements. Minor violations may exist but typically relate to monitoring or reporting rather than health-based standards.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Cave Junction water systems is 0.0043 mg/L — within EPA limits. No ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.
With 51% of homes built before 1986, Cave Junction has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Cave Junction
Cave Junction is served by 3 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 2,593 people across 1 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 10 enforcement actions against water systems serving Cave Junction. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Cave Junction
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
Request your CCR — your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test — certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories — monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Cave Junction Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Cave Junction's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli | Microbiological | N/A | 25 | 1 | Yes |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 17 | 1 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 9 | 1 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 8 | 1 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 5 | 1 | No |
| Barium | Inorganic | 2 mg/L | 4 | 1 | Yes |
| Gross Alpha | Radionuclides | 15 pCi/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 1 | 1 | No |
| Total Organic Carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | N/A | 1 | 1 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Cave Junction:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 10 | 10 |
| 2023 | 2 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 | 3 |
Violations have decreased from 10 in 2022 to 3 in 2024, indicating improving compliance.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 10 enforcement actions against water systems serving Cave Junction. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2024-12-09 | State Informal Action |
| 2024-12-09 | State Order Extension |
| 2024-12-06 | State Order Extension |
| 2024-12-03 | State Order Extension |
| 2024-11-22 | State Order Extension |
| 2024-11-06 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2024-11-05 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2024-11-05 | State Order Extension |
| 2024-10-03 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2024-08-05 | State Informal Action |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2024-12-09.
Cave Junction vs. Nearby Oregon Cities
How Cave Junction's water quality compares to similar cities in Oregon:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cave Junction | B | 85 | 3 | 2,593 |
| Gervais | A | 2 | 1 | 2,571 |
| Rainier | C | 34 | 5 | 2,552 |
| Dayton | B | 1 | 1 | 2,535 |
Common Questions About Cave Junction Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Cave Junction, Oregon:
Is Cave Junction water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Cave Junction's 3 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Cave Junction tap water? Cave Junction's water receives a grade of B (80/100). There are 15 health-based violations — consider filtration.
What is the best water filter for Cave Junction? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Cave Junction vs. Oregon Average
Understanding how Cave Junction compares to the broader Oregon average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below — water quality can vary significantly even within Cave Junction.
ZIP Codes in Cave Junction
Cave Junction spans 1 ZIP code. The ZIP with the lowest water quality score is 97523. Each ZIP code has its own water quality profile based on the specific water system serving that area. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Water is Safe — Here's How to Keep It That Way
Grade B is excellent news. Here's what proactive homeowners do to maintain water quality:
Annual Water Testing
EPA recommends annual testing even with clean water. Home test kits: $20-$50. Catches changes before they become problems.
Maintenance Filtration
A basic carbon filter removes chlorine taste and catches emerging contaminants like PFAS that aren't yet fully regulated.
Plumbing Check
Even safe city water picks up lead from home pipes. If your home was built before 1986, a one-time pipe inspection is recommended.