Health Violations Found OR 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Banks Water Department

EPA ID: OR4100076 · 2,070 people served · 3 ZIP codes

The five-year EPA compliance file for Banks Water Department contains 4 violations, each documented and subsequently closed — the utility now operates in full compliance and continues to supply approximately 2,070 residents with water meeting current federal standards, including both health-based and monitoring requirements.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

C · 66
Avg Safety Score
2,070
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
4
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.003 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
3
Contaminants Flagged
$579K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Banks Water Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$113,185
Median Household Income
10,732
Service Area Population
9%
Disadvantaged Population
30th
Poverty Percentile
20th
Energy Burden Percentile
44%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Banks Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $113,185 and an estimated 10,732 residents across its service area. Approximately 44% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

Banks Water Department's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
30th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
50th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Washington County, Oregon rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

34 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
36 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 49% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Banks Water Department compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

E. coli at 2 Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action) exceeds the EPA maximum of Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action). Severe GI illness; potentially fatal kidney failure in children. Consider UV disinfection (99.99%) filtration.

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Fecal Coliform at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

E. coli was detected in this water system. UV disinfection (99.99%) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Oregon

City of Vernonia
2,100 people
C 22 violations
City of Enterprise
2,107 people
B 21 violations
City of Stanfield
2,115 people
B 11 violations
City of Irrigon
2,133 people
B 18 violations
C 6 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $800
Radon Mitigation $400
Water Filtration $100
Total Estimated Cost $1,300

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,500
10 years
$5,000
20 years
$10,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,300 (one-time) vs. $5,000 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Banks Water Department (EPA ID: OR4100076) is a community water system in Oregon that serves approximately 2,070 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 3 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (66/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. All violations have been resolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 1, 2023 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Resolved
March 1, 2023 E. coli Monitoring Resolved
March 1, 2023 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
E. coli Microbiological 2 Yes
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 1 No
Fecal Coliform Microbiological 1 No

Health Risk Details

E. coli (EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action))

Severe GI illness; potentially fatal kidney failure in children At-risk groups: children under 5, elderly, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women.

Removal methods: UV disinfection (99.99%), chlorination, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
97106 0.003 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)

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

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Banks Water Department (OR4100076) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Banks Water Department water safe to drink?

Banks Water Department has recorded 1 health-based violation in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does Banks Water Department serve?

Banks Water Department serves approximately 2,070 people across 3 ZIP codes in Oregon.

Where does Banks Water Department get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
722
Confirmed Non-Lead

This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2023-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 2,070
Reported to Oregon

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Banks Water Department safe to drink?
Banks Water Department has a C safety grade based on 4 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Banks Water Department's water?
Detected contaminants include E. coli, Surface Water Treatment Rule, Fecal Coliform. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 3 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Banks Water Department serve?
Banks Water Department serves approximately 2,070 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is Banks Water Department's water source?
Banks Water Department draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Banks Water Department's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.003 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Banks Water Department's service area?
The Banks Water Department service area has a median household income of $113,185. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Banks Water Department get its water?
Banks Water Department's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Banks Water Department (EPA ID: OR4100076) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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