Richland, OR: 3 Health Violations — 76/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current monitoring, Richland holds an above-average drinking water safety record for OR — violations are infrequent and typically minor when they do appear.
How Richland Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Richland Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 18 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0017 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 82% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.81 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Richland
With one provider handling most of Richland's residential supply in OR, water service accountability is concentrated in a single utility among the 1 system on record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Richland, Oregon, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 529 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Richland: B (76/100)
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
Richland water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0017 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)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli | Microbiological | 12 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97870 | B | 18 | 3 | City of Richland, |
All ZIP Codes in Richland
- 97870 [B] — 18 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.
Health Outcomes in Richland
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 Richland Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Richland
With 82% 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
Federal plumbing rules changed in two stages — lead pipes were phased out before 1970, and lead solder was banned in 1986 — but in Richland, where the median build year is 1967, most of the housing was already in place before those rules took effect. The materials installed under older standards remain embedded in a substantial portion of the residential inventory today.
Over half of homes in Richland 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 Richland Homeowners
Low proportionality — that's the Richland picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Richland are relatively low compared to home values. The $300–$2,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 50% below the Oregon average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Richland
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.
Wherever 82% of local housing was built before solder rules changed — as is the case in Richland — a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Richland, OR