Health Violations Found OR 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Rickreall Water Association

EPA ID: OR4100704 · 1,650 people served · 5 ZIP codes

In the current EPA monitoring period, Rickreall Water Association has 1 violation still listed as unresolved, with the utility supplying water to approximately 1,650 residents.

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

A · 86
Avg Safety Score
1,650
People Served
5
ZIP Codes Served
1
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0039 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 3
Radon Risk · Low
1
Contaminants Flagged
$388K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 2 (2023) to 7 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Rickreall Water Association Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade A

Service Area Demographics

$79,031
Median Household Income
83,605
Service Area Population
17%
Disadvantaged Population
40th
Poverty Percentile
30th
Energy Burden Percentile
45%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Rickreall Water Association serves a community with a median household income of $79,031 and an estimated 83,605 residents across its service area. Approximately 45% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Rickreall Water Association'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
40th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Polk 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 Rickreall Water Association compares to EPA limits

Lead 1 mg/L (action level) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level)
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults

What This Means For You

Lead at 1 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

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 →

Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Oregon

City of Canyonville,
1,662 people
B 25 violations
Wickiup Water District
1,630 people
0 violations
Hillsboro-cherry Grove
1,628 people
0 violations
City of John Day
1,617 people
B 3 violations
City of Nehalem
1,700 people
B 14 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Water Filtration PFAS Treatment Radon Mitigation
Flood Insurance $1,440
Water Filtration $120
PFAS Treatment $100
Radon Mitigation $80
Total Estimated Cost $1,740

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.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,665
10 years
$5,330
20 years
$10,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,740 (one-time) vs. $5,330 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

Rickreall Water Association (EPA ID: OR4100704) is a community water system in Oregon that serves approximately 1,650 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 5 ZIP codes across 5 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: A (86/100)

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. 1 remains unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
April 1, 2025 Lead Health-based Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Lead Inorganic 1 Yes

Health Risk Details

Lead (EPA limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level))

Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults At-risk groups: infants, children under 6, pregnant women.

Removal methods: reverse osmosis, distillation, certified carbon block filter (NSF/ANSI 53). 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
97371 0.0039 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

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

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 Rickreall Water Association (OR4100704) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rickreall Water Association water safe to drink?

Rickreall Water Association 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 Rickreall Water Association serve?

Rickreall Water Association serves approximately 1,650 people across 5 ZIP codes in Oregon.

Where does Rickreall Water Association 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
551
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 2021-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 1,650
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 Rickreall Water Association safe to drink?
Rickreall Water Association earns a A safety grade with 1 violation in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in Rickreall Water Association's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 1 contaminant 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 Rickreall Water Association serve?
Rickreall Water Association serves approximately 1,650 people with drinking water across 5 ZIP codes.
What is Rickreall Water Association's water source?
Rickreall Water Association draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Rickreall Water Association's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0039 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Rickreall Water Association's service area?
The Rickreall Water Association service area has a median household income of $79,031. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Rickreall Water Association get its water?
Rickreall Water Association'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

Rickreall Water Association (EPA ID: OR4100704) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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