Merlin, OR: 17 Health Violations — 57/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
While Merlin avoids OR's lowest safety tiers, a portion of its water systems have logged documented violations.
How Merlin Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Merlin Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 82 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 54% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.18 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Merlin
Federal drinking water records identify 3 systems in Merlin, OR. The leading 3 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Merlin, Oregon (population ~2,146), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 37,236 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 17 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Merlin: C (57/100)
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
Merlin water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Merlin
- 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 | 64 | 1 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 34 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 30 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 6 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97532 | C | 82 | 17 | City of Grants Pass, |
All ZIP Codes in Merlin
- 97532 [C] — 82 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 Merlin
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 Merlin
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Merlin's Housing Stock?
With 54% 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
What does a median build year of 1985 mean for water safety in Merlin? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used — making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in Merlin 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.
Merlin: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Merlin, property values comfortably outpace what documented remediation typically costs — the equity share is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Merlin are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,100–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 3% above the Oregon average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Merlin
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.
If 54% of the Merlin inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder — and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L — the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Merlin
FEMA data shows 100% of Merlin's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 13 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Merlin has a moderate flood history with 13 FEMA claims averaging $18,700 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>$1,800</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.
What You Can Do in Merlin
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for E. coli can reduce the most common contaminant found in Merlin's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 54% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Merlin, OR