Monitoring Violations OR

Columbia City Mun Waterworks

EPA ID: OR4100203 · 1,995 people served · 3 ZIP codes

On record: Columbia City Mun Waterworks, 6 violations, all resolved, 1,995 in service area.

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

C · 66
Avg Safety Score
1,995
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
6
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.002 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
3
Contaminants Flagged
$426K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Columbia City Mun Waterworks Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$85,837
Median Household Income
20,799
Service Area Population
40%
Disadvantaged Population
53th
Poverty Percentile
37th
Energy Burden Percentile
46%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Columbia City Mun Waterworks serves a community with a median household income of $85,837 and an estimated 20,799 residents across its service area. Approximately 46% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 40% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Columbia City Mun Waterworks's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
17th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
27th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Columbia 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

37 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
33 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 53% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Columbia City Mun Waterworks compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Contaminant 0700 at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 1 detection recorded.

State limits: PFOA: 0.03 ppt, PFOS: 0.03 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Oregon

City of Rainier
1,932 people
C 34 violations
Banks Water Department
2,070 people
C 4 violations
0 violations
City of Brownsville
1,906 people
B 24 violations
City of Vernonia
2,100 people
C 22 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment
Flood Insurance $1,600
Radon Mitigation $400
PFAS Treatment $167
Total Estimated Cost $2,167

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 $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,165
10 years
$10,330
20 years
$20,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,167 (one-time) vs. $10,330 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

Columbia City Mun Waterworks (EPA ID: OR4100203) is a community water system in Oregon that serves approximately 1,995 people from groundwater 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

6 monitoring/reporting violations recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
January 1, 2025 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2024 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2023 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 3 No
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Contaminant 0700 Other Violation 1 No

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
97018 0.002 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 Columbia City Mun Waterworks (OR4100203) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Columbia City Mun Waterworks water safe to drink?

Columbia City Mun Waterworks has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.

How many people does Columbia City Mun Waterworks serve?

Columbia City Mun Waterworks serves approximately 1,995 people across 3 ZIP codes in Oregon.

Where does Columbia City Mun Waterworks get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

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
869
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 2022-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 1,995
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 Columbia City Mun Waterworks safe to drink?
Columbia City Mun Waterworks has a C safety grade based on 6 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Columbia City Mun Waterworks's water?
Detected contaminants include Stage 1 DBP Rule, Surface Water Treatment Rule, Contaminant 0700. 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 Columbia City Mun Waterworks serve?
Columbia City Mun Waterworks serves approximately 1,995 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is Columbia City Mun Waterworks's water source?
Columbia City Mun Waterworks draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Columbia City Mun Waterworks's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.002 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Columbia City Mun Waterworks's service area?
The Columbia City Mun Waterworks service area has a median household income of $85,837. EPA EJScreen data classifies 40% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Columbia City Mun Waterworks get its water?
Columbia City Mun Waterworks's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table. 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

Columbia City Mun Waterworks (EPA ID: OR4100203) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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