Coos Bay, OR: 1 Health Violation — 81/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water utilities in Coos Bay have maintained a consistent compliance record over recent monitoring periods — the city's above-average grade in OR reflects low violation rates and no systemic health concerns flagged in current data.
How Coos Bay Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Coos Bay Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 97 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.005 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 72% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,500 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.13 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Coos Bay
Structurally, Coos Bay, OR's water supply is divided. Federal data identifies 6 water systems in the area, with 3 providers serving the bulk of residential connections. These utilities operate independently, meaning rate-setting authority and EPA compliance accountability are distributed rather than centralized.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Coos Bay, Oregon, covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 27,579 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Coos Bay: B (81/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Coos Bay water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0050 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli | Microbiological | 62 | 1 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 58 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 52 | 1 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 6 | 1 |
| Gross Alpha | Radionuclides | 6 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97420 | B | 97 | 1 | Coos Bay North Bend Wtr Brd |
All ZIP Codes in Coos Bay
- 97420 [B] — 97 violations ⚠
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
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Coos Bay
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Key Contaminants Detected in Coos Bay
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Coos Bay's Housing Stock?
With 72% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Because the majority of Coos Bay's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1976 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Coos Bay were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Coos Bay: Remediation Cost in Perspective
At current valuations, Coos Bay sits in the low remediation-share tier — the equity impact of fixing documented issues is proportionally minor.
Remediation costs in Coos Bay are relatively low compared to home values. The $950–$2,400 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 30% below the Oregon average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Coos Bay
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Routinely in Coos Bay, where 72% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Coos Bay
Flood risk in Coos Bay occupies the middle ground: 107 NFIP claims and 100% of local ZIP codes within FEMA flood zones. At that level, the risk pathways connecting flooding to water quality — treatment system stress, well infiltration, distribution backflow — become relevant considerations during significant flood events, even if day-to-day water quality is unaffected by flood history.
Coos Bay has a moderate flood history with 107 FEMA claims averaging $17,379 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,500</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Coos Bay, OR