Cove, OR Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Throughout Cove and across its water systems, EPA compliance data for OR shows above-average performance — violations are minimal, none of the tracked systems have recorded repeated MCL exceedances in recent cycles, and the safety picture has held steady across multiple reporting periods.
How Cove Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Cove Water
- Average lead level: 0.0005 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 58% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.84 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Cove
With one provider handling most of Cove's residential supply in OR, water service accountability is concentrated in a single utility among the 1 system on record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Cove, Oregon, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,923 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Cove — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Cove: B (83/100)
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
Cove water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0005 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 97824 | B | City of Cove, | 550 |
All ZIP Codes in Cove
- 97824 [B]
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.
Health Outcomes in Cove
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Cove
With 58% 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
Two dates define the high-risk tiers of residential plumbing from a lead standpoint: 1970, before which lead pipes were commonly installed for service connections, and 1986, before which lead solder was standard in copper plumbing. A median build year of 1970 places Cove's housing distribution well within that older risk zone. The bar chart above breaks down how much of the stock falls into each era — and the pre-1986 share alone represents more than half the residential inventory, making plumbing-era risk a defining characteristic of the local water safety picture.
Over half of homes in Cove 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Cove Homeowners
Low proportionality — that's the Cove picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Cove are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 10% below the Oregon average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Cove
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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 58% of Cove stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Cove, OR