In current tracking cycles, Portland records above-average water quality outcomes for OR; compliance history over recent years shows few departures from federal standards and no systemic failures across its water systems.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

Water Quality Map: Portland, OR

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.

A B C D F

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 59 ZIP codes in Portland, Oregon, covering 17 community water systems serving approximately 929,296 people.

59 of 59 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Portland: 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

Portland water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.

Lead & Copper

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0049 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)

• Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 55 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 4 ZIP codes

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Top Contaminants

Areas with Most Violations

All ZIP Codes in Portland

• 97201 [B] — 2 violations
• 97202 [B] — 2 violations
• 97203 [B] — 2 violations
• 97204 [B] — 2 violations
• 97205 [B] — 2 violations
• 97206 [A] — 2 violations
• 97207 [B] — 2 violations
• 97208 [A] — 2 violations
• 97209 [B] — 2 violations
• 97210 [B] — 2 violations
• 97211 [B] — 2 violations
• 97212 [B] — 2 violations
• 97213 [B] — 2 violations
• 97214 [B] — 2 violations
• 97215 [B] — 2 violations
• 97216 [B] — 2 violations
• 97217 [B] — 2 violations
• 97218 [B] — 2 violations
• 97219 [B] — 2 violations
• 97220 [B] — 2 violations
• 97221 [B] — 2 violations
• 97222 [B] — 2 violations
• 97223 [B] — 2 violations
• 97224 [B] — 2 violations
• 97225 [B] — 2 violations
• 97227 [B] — 2 violations
• 97228 [B] — 2 violations
• 97229 [B] — 2 violations
• 97230 [B] — 2 violations
• 97231 [B] — 2 violations
• 97232 [B] — 2 violations
• 97233 [B] — 2 violations
• 97236 [B] — 2 violations
• 97238 [B] — 2 violations
• 97239 [B] — 2 violations
• 97240 [B] — 2 violations
• 97242 [B] — 2 violations
• 97250 [B] — 2 violations
• 97252 [B] — 2 violations
• 97256 [B] — 2 violations
• 97258 [B] — 2 violations
• 97266 [B] — 2 violations
• 97267 [B] — 2 violations
• 97268 [B] — 2 violations
• 97269 [B] — 2 violations
• 97272 [B] — 2 violations
• 97280 [B] — 2 violations
• 97281 [B] — 2 violations
• 97282 [B] — 2 violations
• 97283 [B] — 2 violations
• 97286 [B] — 2 violations
• 97290 [B] — 2 violations
• 97291 [B] — 2 violations
• 97292 [B] — 2 violations
• 97293 [B] — 2 violations
• 97294 [B] — 2 violations
• 97296 [B] — 2 violations
• 97298 [B] — 2 violations
• 97299 [B] — 2 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.

How Remediation Costs Compare in Portland

In Portland, the equity impact of remediation is proportionally small — not the kind of financial commitment that rises to the level of a genuine planning constraint, but a minor share of what most properties here are worth.

Median Home Value

$609,100

Est. Remediation

$1,193

Remediation as % of home value 0.2%

Remediation costs in Portland are relatively low compared to home values. The $529–$1,941 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 50% above the Oregon average.

Portland: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

0.0049

mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

Lead risk in Portland appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.

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

Portland: Flood History & Water Damage Risk

Flood risk in Portland reaches a level where its interaction with water quality becomes a concrete planning concern rather than an abstract possibility. NFIP data records 654 claims, and 53% of the area's ZIP codes are within FEMA-designated flood zones. At this exposure level, the mechanisms connecting major flood events to water quality disruption — treatment overload, well contamination, distribution backflow — have likely been activated repeatedly over the multi-decade NFIP tracking window.

654

Total FEMA Flood Claims

$14,116

Avg Claim Payout

53%

ZIPs in FEMA Flood Zones

~33

Est. Claims/Year

Portland has a significant flood history with 654 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $14,116 per claim. With 53% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.

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>$1,193</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.