City of Vernonia
EPA ID: OR4100922 · 2,100 people served · 1 ZIP code
The EPA enforcement database lists 5 active violations for City of Vernonia — a provider that delivers drinking water to approximately 2,100 people and has not yet formally resolved those findings.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Service Area Map
Coverage area for City of Vernonia Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The City of Vernonia serves a community with a median household income of $78,125 and an estimated 3,730 residents across its service area. Approximately 51% 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?
City of Vernonia'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.
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
Detected Contaminants
How City of Vernonia compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Stage 1 DBP Rule at 5 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 5 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Fecal Coliform at 4 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
E. coli at 3 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.
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
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
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.
System Overview
City of Vernonia, (EPA ID: OR4100922) is a community water system in Oregon that serves approximately 2,100 people from surface water sources.
This system serves ZIP code 97064 in Vernonia.
Average Home Safety Score: C (64/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| August 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| August 1, 2023 | E. coli | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2023 | Fecal Coliform | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| May 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 5 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 5 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 4 | No |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 4 | No |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 3 | No |
| Chlorine residual | Disinfectant | 1 | Yes |
Health Risk Details
Chlorine (Residual Disinfectant) (EPA limit: 4 mg/L (MRDL — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level))
Irritation & DBP formation at high levels; protective at normal treatment levels At-risk groups: people with asthma or chemical sensitivities, kidney dialysis patients (water must be dechlorinated).
Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), KDF media filter, carbon block filter. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 97064 | 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 FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
- 97064 — Vernonia
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for City of Vernonia (OR4100922) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City of Vernonia water safe to drink?
City of Vernonia 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 City of Vernonia serve?
City of Vernonia serves approximately 2,100 people across 1 ZIP code in Oregon.
Where does City of Vernonia 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:
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
City of Vernonia (EPA ID: OR4100922) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.