Water Quality in Portland, OR: 144 Violations - Grade N/A

Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)

Water Quality Overview

Portland, Oregon has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 35 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.

The available EPA records report 144 violations, including 13 health-based violations across 35 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.

Lead Levels

The average 90th percentile lead level across Portland water systems is 0.0049 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 35 ZIP records with known lead status.

With 65% of homes built before 1986, Portland has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.

Water Systems Serving Portland

Portland is served by 23 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 929,296 people across 59 ZIP codes.

Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:

• Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
• Report results to the EPA and state regulators
• Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
• Take corrective action when violations occur

The EPA has taken 152 enforcement actions against water systems serving Portland. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.

How to Check Your Water in Portland

1. Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history

2. Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants

3. Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel

4. Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics

5. Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts

Contaminants Detected in Portland Water Systems

The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Portland's water systems:

MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.

Violation Trend Over Time

Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Portland:

Violations have increased from 3 in 2023 to 8 in 2025. This trend warrants monitoring.

EPA Enforcement History

The EPA and state regulators have taken 61 enforcement actions against water systems serving Portland. Recent actions:

Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-03-19.

Portland vs. Nearby Oregon Cities

How Portland's water quality compares to similar cities in Oregon:

Recommended Water Filters for Portland

Based on contaminants detected in Portland's water supply, these filter types are recommended:

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house POE)

• Removes: Total trihalomethanes
• Effectiveness: 80-99%
• Cost range: $400–$2000
• Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
• Recommended products:
  • Aquasana AQ-5200
  • Aquasana EQ-1000 Rhino

Water Quality by ZIP Code in Portland

EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Portland's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:

Common Questions About Portland Water

These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Portland, Oregon:

Is Portland water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Portland's 23 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.

Can I drink Portland tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 13 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.

What is the best water filter for Portland? Based on detected contaminants, a granular activated carbon (gac, whole-house poe) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.

Portland vs. Oregon Average

Understanding how Portland compares to the broader Oregon average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.

To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Portland.

ZIP Codes in Portland

Portland spans 59 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 35 directly mapped ZIP codes. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.

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
• Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
• Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products

Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.