Salem, OR: 104 Violations — 89/100 (2026)
13 ZIP codes · 14 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Salem, EPA monitoring data shows low violation rates and healthy safety margins — a pattern that places the city well above OR's average for drinking water compliance across recent reporting cycles.
How Salem Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Salem, OR
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Salem.
Salem Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 104 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,177 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.36 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Salem
Federal records list 14 water systems tied to Salem, OR. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 13 ZIP codes in Salem, Oregon, covering 14 community water systems serving approximately 279,480 people.
13 of 13 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Salem: A (89/100)
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
Salem water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 13 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 70 | 13 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 28 | 13 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 14 | 13 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97301 | B | 8 | 0 | Salem Public Works |
| 97302 | B | 8 | 0 | Salem Public Works |
| 97303 | A | 8 | 0 | Salem Public Works |
| 97304 | A | 8 | 0 | Salem Public Works |
| 97305 | A | 8 | 0 | Salem Public Works |
| 97306 | A | 8 | 0 | Salem Public Works |
| 97308 | A | 8 | 0 | Salem Public Works |
| 97309 | A | 8 | 0 | Salem Public Works |
| 97310 | A | 8 | 0 | Salem Public Works |
| 97311 | A | 8 | 0 | Salem Public Works |
All ZIP Codes in Salem
- 97301 [B] — 8 violations
- 97302 [B] — 8 violations
- 97303 [A] — 8 violations
- 97304 [A] — 8 violations
- 97305 [A] — 8 violations
- 97306 [A] — 8 violations
- 97308 [A] — 8 violations
- 97309 [A] — 8 violations
- 97310 [A] — 8 violations
- 97311 [A] — 8 violations
- 97312 [A] — 8 violations
- 97314 [A] — 8 violations
- 97317 [A] — 8 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 Salem
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 Salem
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Salem: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Across Salem, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in Salem are relatively low compared to home values. The $515–$1,969 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 2% below the Oregon average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Salem
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 Salem 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.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Salem
62% of ZIP codes in Salem are mapped into FEMA-designated flood zones, and the NFIP records 297 claims reflecting a multi-event flood history. That combination places local flood exposure in the range where water-quality implications deserve at least periodic attention.
Salem has a moderate flood history with 297 FEMA claims averaging $11,114 per payout. 62% 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>$1,177</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Salem, OR