Historical Compliance Records OR

Klamath Falls Water Department

EPA ID: OR4100443 ยท 40,475 people served ยท 2 ZIP codes

ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Klamath Falls Water Department (OR4100443): 199 EPA violations in the last five years. Over the past five years, Klamath Falls Water Department recorded 199 violations, all subsequently resolved through the EPA enforcement process - the supplier currently operates in good standing, with no active actions on file for its 40,475 residents.

Data: EPA SDWIS

D ยท 50
Avg Safety Score
40,475
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
199
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
Zone 2
Radon Risk ยท Moderate
52
Contaminants Flagged
$259K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary - Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$58,803
Median Household Income
54,963
Service Area Population
55%
Disadvantaged Population
70th
Poverty Percentile
70th
Energy Burden Percentile
70%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Klamath Falls Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $58,803 and an estimated 54,963 residents across its service area. Approximately 70% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 55% 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.

๐Ÿ’ง Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Klamath Falls Water Department'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
30th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
60th
Superfund Site Proximity

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

57 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
11 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 84% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Klamath Falls Water Department compares to EPA limits

PFOA 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.000004 mg/L
PFNA 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.00001 mg/L
Contaminant 2015 6 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.0005 mg/L
Probable carcinogen; liver & thyroid damage, immune suppression
Atrazine 6 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.003 mg/L
Endocrine disruption, cardiovascular & reproductive effects
Benzene 6 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.005 mg/L

What This Means For You

PFOA at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.000004 mg/L.

PFNA at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.00001 mg/L.

Contaminant 2015 at 6 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.0005 mg/L. Probable carcinogen; liver & thyroid damage, immune suppression. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Atrazine at 6 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.003 mg/L. Endocrine disruption, cardiovascular & reproductive effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Benzene at 6 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.005 mg/L.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 6 detections recorded. 2 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).

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 โ†’

Contaminant 2015 was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter โ†’

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Oregon

A 2 violations
City of Keizer
38,585 people
A 2 violations
Redmond Water Department
37,566 people
A 0 violations
City of Grants Pass
37,138 people
A 31 violations
Avion Wc - Greater Avion
35,332 people
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $600
PFAS Treatment $600
Radon Mitigation $400
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $1,900

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 $1,500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure - Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$7,665
10 years
$15,330
20 years
$30,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,900 (one-time) vs. $15,330 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

Klamath Falls Water Department (EPA ID: OR4100443) is a community water system in Oregon that serves approximately 40,475 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 1 community.

ZIP-Area Home Safety Context: D (50/100)

This is the average Home Safety Score for 2 of 2 service-area ZIP codes with all required score domains observed. It is not a grade for the water utility.

Model 4.0.0 uses SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, the UCMR 5 PFAS MCL screen, EPA radon zone, and annual EPA AirData AQI across three equally weighted domains. Missing required evidence suppresses the score.

Violation History

No current noncompliance in the accepted 2026Q2 snapshot. The 199 records in the 2021-2026 window are classified as resolved or archived, not current.

Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 149 resolved, 50 archived, 0 addressed, and 0 unaddressed. Under this source contract, current noncompliance is the sum of addressed and unaddressed records. Archived and resolved records are excluded from current noncompliance.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
February 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Non-health-based Resolved
October 1, 2024 Surface Water Treatment Rule Non-health-based Resolved
September 1, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Non-health-based Resolved
July 1, 2023 Surface Water Treatment Rule Non-health-based Resolved
January 1, 2023 PFOA Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2023 PFNA Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2023 Monochloroacetic Acid Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2023 Dichloroacetic Acid Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2023 Bromodichloromethane Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2023 Dibromochloromethane Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2023 Bromoform Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2023 Chlorodibromomethane Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2023 Trichloroacetic Acid Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2023 Monobromoacetic Acid Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2023 Dibromoacetic Acid Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2023 Bromochloroacetic Acid Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2023 Bromodichloroacetic Acid Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2023 Chlorodibromoacetic Acid Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2023 Tribromoacetic Acid Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2023 HAA6Br Non-health-based Archived

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Contaminant 2005 Other Violation 6 No
Contaminant 2010 Other Violation 6 No
Contaminant 2015 Other Violation 6 No
Contaminant 2020 Other Violation 6 No
Contaminant 2031 Other Violation 6 No
Contaminant 2032 Other Violation 6 No
Contaminant 2033 Other Violation 6 No
Contaminant 2034 Other Violation 6 No
Contaminant 2035 Other Violation 6 No
Contaminant 2036 Other Violation 6 No
Contaminant 2037 Other Violation 6 No
Atrazine Organic 6 No
Contaminant 2040 Other Violation 6 No
Contaminant 2041 Other Violation 6 No
Contaminant 2042 Other Violation 6 No

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:

Lead Level Exceeds Action Level Sample Date
0 mg/L No N/A

No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.

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 $20โ€“$50 (DIY kit) ยท Professional inspection: $150โ€“$400

Find the Right Water Filter

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

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by OR or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Klamath Falls Water Department (OR4100443) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Klamath Falls Water Department water safe to drink?

The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows no current noncompliance for Klamath Falls Water Department; its 199 accepted 2021-2026 records are resolved or archived. Historical compliance status does not establish conditions at a specific tap.

How many people does Klamath Falls Water Department serve?

Klamath Falls Water Department serves approximately 40,475 people across 2 ZIP codes in Oregon.

Where does Klamath Falls Water Department get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
348
Detections
6
Latest sample
9/10/2024
Highest analyte
PFOS: 9.5 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFOS 9.5 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFHxS 5.8 ppt 10 ppt Below current MCL
PFBS 4.3 ppt โ€” โ€”

Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.

Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) โ€” per-system federal sampling, 2023โ€“2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program โ†’

Understand PFAS health context and filtration โ†’

How Water Systems Appear in Rankings

Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Klamath Falls Water Department safe to drink?
Klamath Falls Water Department has a D safety grade based on 199 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits - independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Klamath Falls Water Department's water?
Detected contaminants include PFOA, PFNA, Contaminant 2015, Atrazine. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 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 Klamath Falls Water Department serve?
Klamath Falls Water Department serves approximately 40,475 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Klamath Falls Water Department's water source?
Klamath Falls Water Department draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of Klamath Falls Water Department's service area?
The Klamath Falls Water Department service area has a median household income of $58,803. EPA EJScreen data classifies 55% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Klamath Falls Water Department get its water?
Klamath Falls Water Department'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 the exported violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is classified as elevated.

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Klamath Falls Water Department (OR): 199 EPA Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/or4100443/
BibTeX
@misc{zipcheckup-water-system-or4100443,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Klamath Falls Water Department (OR): 199 EPA Violations}},
  year   = {n.d.},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/or4100443/}
}

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 โ†’

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report โ†’

3

Contact your utility

Klamath Falls Water Department (EPA ID: OR4100443) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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