CITY REPORT OR

Klamath Falls, OR: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 50/100

3 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated

ZipCheckup grade for Klamath Falls: D.

Federal records show several conditions worth reviewing.

Treat the D-F grade for Klamath Falls, OR as a summary of available data, not a measurement at your faucet.

How Klamath Falls Compares

Klamath Falls50/100
Oregon avg85/100
National avg73/100

Data: EPA SDWIS

3
ZIP Codes
3
Water Systems
2
ZIPs Linked to Systems with Violations
D · 50
Avg Safety Score
Zone 2
County Radon Potential (Moderate)
$267K
Median Home Value
$500
Est. Remediation (0.2% of home value)

Klamath Falls Water: The Quick Version

  • Your city's water systems recorded 204 violations since 2021.
  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0008 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 70% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $500 per household.
  • Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 14.95.

Water Systems Serving Klamath Falls

Among 3 systems linked to Klamath Falls, OR, the 3 biggest by population served appear below.

Overview

We track home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Klamath Falls, Oregon, covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 54,963 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 2 of 3 ZIP codes.

2 of 2 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Klamath Falls: D (50/100)

Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:

Factor What It Measures
Water Quality EPA violations and compliance history
PFAS MCL Screen UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs
Radon Risk EPA radon zone classification
Annual AQI EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days

Water Sources

Klamath Falls water systems draw from: Groundwater.

Lead & Copper

  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0008 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
  • 0 of 2 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level

Radon Risk

3 of 3 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 2.

The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Endrin Organic 18 2
BHC-gamma (Lindane) Organic 18 2
Methoxychlor Organic 18 2
Toxaphene Organic 18 2
Dalapon Organic 18 2

Areas with Most Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score Violations Health-Based System
97603 D 203 0 Klamath Falls Water Department
97601 D 200 0 Klamath Falls Water Department

All ZIP Codes in Klamath Falls

Data Sources

Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.

CDC Health Data for Klamath Falls

12.5%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
14.1%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
18.7%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 12.5% ↑
Diabetes 14.1% ↑
Mental Health 18.7% ↑

Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national

Key Contaminants Detected in Klamath Falls

Endrin 18 violations
Organic
BHC-gamma (Lindane) 18 violations
Organic
Methoxychlor 18 violations
Organic

Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.

How Old Is Klamath Falls's Housing Stock?

1969
Median Build Year
70%
Built Before 1986
47%
Built Before 1970
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 70% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

Housing Age Profile

By Census estimates, roughly half or more of the homes in Klamath Falls were built before 1986; the median build year is 1969.

1969
Median Year Built
70%
Pre-1986 (lead solder era; lead paint banned 1978)
47%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (47%) 1970–1986 (23%) Post-1986 (30%)

Over half of homes in Klamath Falls were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Klamath Falls: Remediation Cost in Perspective

Measured against the median home value, the estimated cost of fixing the issues flagged for Klamath Falls lands in the lowest of the three tiers this page uses.

Median Home Value
$266,500
Est. Remediation
$500
Remediation as % of home value 0.2%

Estimated remediation costs in Klamath Falls can be compared with local home values. The $300–$800 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 34% below the Oregon average.

Protecting Children from Lead in Klamath Falls

70%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.0008
mg/L average of reported water-system 90th-percentile lead results (the 0.015 action level applies to each system's result, not to this average)

Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.

If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Klamath Falls

1
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$7,070
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data
100%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Klamath Falls contains 1 flood insurance claim. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $7,070. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.

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. The $500 remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.

Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.

Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.

What You Can Do in Klamath Falls

  1. Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
  2. Install a certified water filter. For Endrin, listed in the water-quality records for Klamath Falls: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
  3. Check your home's plumbing. With 70% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
  4. Review your water system's CCR. If you use a community water system, request its annual Consumer Confidence Report for system-level test results or find it online.

Deep Dive Reports

Detailed analysis for Klamath Falls, OR

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Home Safety Score mean for Klamath Falls, OR?
Klamath Falls has an average Home Safety Score of 50/100 (Grade D) under ZipCheckup model 4.0.0, an area-level model that draws on EPA water compliance records, PFAS screening, EPA radon zones, and annual EPA air quality data; see the methodology page for how inputs and coverage are handled. 204 violations appear in EPA records for water systems mapped to these ZIP codes. Check individual ZIP code reports for component details.
How many violations are on record for water systems serving Klamath Falls?
EPA records list 204 EPA violations for Klamath Falls water systems. These water-system violations are shown for 3 mapped ZIP codes.
Does Klamath Falls water have lead?
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Klamath Falls is 0.0008 mg/L. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to each water system's own 90th percentile, not to this average. EPA's health goal for lead is zero. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How does Klamath Falls compare to Oregon average?
Klamath Falls has an average Home Safety Score of 50/100, which is below the Oregon state average of 85/100 for the same model series.
How many water systems serve Klamath Falls?
Our records map 3 water systems to 3 ZIP codes in Klamath Falls. The related population figure in our data is approximately 54,963 people; it is not a count of people served citywide.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Klamath Falls?
Estimated remediation cost per household in Klamath Falls: $500; modeled range $300 to $800. Estimated costs may include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, or flood protection where applicable.
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How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Klamath Falls, OR: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 50/100. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/or/klamath-falls/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-or-klamath-falls,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Klamath Falls, OR: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 50/100}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/or/klamath-falls/}
}

Page version: October 2026.

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