Eugene, OR: 7 Violations — 92/100 (2026)
7 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
For households in Eugene, OR water data shows a consistently above-average safety picture.
How Eugene Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Eugene, OR
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Eugene score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Eugene Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 7 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0045 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 60% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,371 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.89 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Eugene
Water supply in Eugene, OR follows a divided structure: 3 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 9 total systems, each managing its own distribution network and EPA reporting. Because these systems operate independently, rate decisions and compliance outcomes are determined separately.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 7 ZIP codes in Eugene, Oregon, covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 212,416 people.
7 of 7 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Eugene: A (92/100)
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
Eugene water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0045 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 7 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 3028 | Other | 8 | 7 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97401 | A | 1 | 0 | Eugene Water & Electric Board |
| 97402 | A | 1 | 0 | Eugene Water & Electric Board |
| 97403 | A | 1 | 0 | Eugene Water & Electric Board |
| 97404 | A | 1 | 0 | Eugene Water & Electric Board |
| 97405 | A | 1 | 0 | Eugene Water & Electric Board |
| 97408 | A | 1 | 0 | Eugene Water & Electric Board |
| 97440 | A | 1 | 0 | Eugene Water & Electric Board |
All ZIP Codes in Eugene
- 97401 [A] — 1 violation
- 97402 [A] — 1 violation
- 97403 [A] — 1 violation
- 97404 [A] — 1 violation
- 97405 [A] — 1 violation
- 97408 [A] — 1 violation
- 97440 [A] — 1 violation
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 Eugene
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
Top Contaminants in Eugene Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Eugene
With 60% 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
The lead that enters tap water in older homes often comes not from the municipal supply but from the home's own plumbing — from solder used in copper joints before the 1986 federal ban, or from lead pipes installed before 1970. In Eugene, where the median build year is 1981, these older materials are widespread. More than half the residential stock predates the 1986 solder ban, and a significant fraction predates 1970 as well. For residents in those homes, the city-wide water quality picture is a less relevant frame than the specific materials inside their own walls and under their own street.
Over half of homes in Eugene 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 Eugene Homeowners
In Eugene, property values comfortably outpace what documented remediation typically costs — the equity share is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Eugene are relatively low compared to home values. The $914–$2,000 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 22% above the Oregon average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Eugene
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.
Locally, 60% of Eugene homes carry interior plumbing from the era when lead solder was still permitted in new builds, and citywide monitoring approaches or crosses the EPA action benchmark. Households can find a draw-test kit and certified filtration through verified retailers.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Eugene
Flood history in Eugene spans 61 NFIP claims and 100% flood zone coverage — enough to place it in moderate-exposure territory where flood events are genuinely recurring rather than statistical outliers. That distinction matters for water quality assessment because the connection between flooding and water safety is not uniform across communities. In low-exposure areas, flooding rarely generates the conditions needed to compromise treatment or distribution infrastructure. In high-exposure areas, it can do so repeatedly. Moderate-exposure communities sit in between: flood events occur with enough frequency to make periodic infrastructure stress a reasonable concern, particularly for private well owners and residents in lower-elevation FEMA-designated zones.
Eugene has a moderate flood history with 61 FEMA claims averaging $5,899 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>$1,371</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 Eugene, OR