Worst Infrastructure: Portland Metro — 2026

Out of 85 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in the Portland metro area, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	85
Highest risk	49%
Median risk	32%
Average risk	32%

Top 85 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	97212	Portland	OR	49%	High	82/100
2	97213	Portland	OR	49%	High	82/100
3	97204	Portland	OR	46%	High	82/100
4	97211	Portland	OR	46%	High	82/100
5	97215	Portland	OR	46%	High	82/100
6	97005	Beaverton	OR	45%	High	72/100
7	97008	Beaverton	OR	45%	High	82/100
8	97202	Portland	OR	45%	High	77/100
9	97214	Portland	OR	45%	High	82/100
10	97206	Portland	OR	44%	High	94/100
11	97217	Portland	OR	44%	High	77/100
12	97218	Portland	OR	43%	High	82/100
13	97220	Portland	OR	42%	High	82/100
14	97203	Portland	OR	41%	High	82/100
15	97210	Portland	OR	41%	High	82/100
16	98663	Vancouver	WA	41%	High	69/100
17	97205	Portland	OR	40%	Moderate	82/100
18	97219	Portland	OR	40%	Moderate	77/100
19	97221	Portland	OR	40%	Moderate	82/100
20	97222	Portland	OR	40%	Moderate	84/100
21	97267	Portland	OR	39%	Moderate	84/100
22	97225	Portland	OR	38%	Moderate	77/100
23	97232	Portland	OR	38%	Moderate	82/100
24	98660	Vancouver	WA	38%	Moderate	69/100
25	98666	Vancouver	WA	38%	Moderate	69/100
26	98668	Vancouver	WA	38%	Moderate	65/100
27	98687	Vancouver	WA	38%	Moderate	65/100
28	97227	Portland	OR	37%	Moderate	82/100
29	97216	Portland	OR	36%	Moderate	82/100
30	97231	Portland	OR	36%	Moderate	82/100
31	97266	Portland	OR	36%	Moderate	72/100
32	97003	Beaverton	OR	35%	Moderate	82/100
33	97201	Portland	OR	35%	Moderate	82/100
34	97233	Portland	OR	35%	Moderate	82/100
35	97030	Gresham	OR	34%	Moderate	77/100
36	97230	Portland	OR	34%	Moderate	82/100
37	97239	Portland	OR	34%	Moderate	77/100
38	97007	Beaverton	OR	33%	Moderate	77/100
39	97236	Portland	OR	33%	Moderate	77/100
40	97006	Beaverton	OR	32%	Moderate	82/100
41	97075	Beaverton	OR	32%	Moderate	82/100
42	97076	Beaverton	OR	32%	Moderate	82/100
43	97077	Beaverton	OR	32%	Moderate	82/100
44	97223	Portland	OR	32%	Moderate	72/100
45	98661	Vancouver	WA	32%	Moderate	69/100
46	98664	Vancouver	WA	32%	Moderate	69/100
47	98665	Vancouver	WA	30%	Moderate	69/100
48	97080	Gresham	OR	29%	Moderate	77/100
49	97209	Portland	OR	28%	Moderate	82/100
50	97224	Portland	OR	28%	Moderate	77/100
51	97123	Hillsboro	OR	26%	Moderate	75/100
52	97207	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
53	97228	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
54	97238	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
55	97240	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
56	97242	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
57	97250	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
58	97252	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
59	97256	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
60	97258	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
61	97268	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
62	97269	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
63	97272	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
64	97280	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
65	97281	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
66	97282	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
67	97283	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
68	97286	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
69	97290	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
70	97291	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
71	97292	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
72	97293	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
73	97294	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
74	97296	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
75	97298	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
76	97299	Portland	OR	25%	Moderate	82/100
77	98662	Vancouver	WA	25%	Moderate	69/100
78	98685	Vancouver	WA	25%	Moderate	69/100
79	98686	Vancouver	WA	25%	Moderate	69/100
80	97124	Hillsboro	OR	24%	Moderate	75/100
81	98683	Vancouver	WA	24%	Moderate	69/100
82	98684	Vancouver	WA	23%	Moderate	69/100
83	97229	Portland	OR	22%	Moderate	77/100
84	98682	Vancouver	WA	21%	Moderate	69/100
85	97208	Portland	OR	16%	Low	94/100

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-06-04.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.