City of Cave Junction
EPA ID: OR4100971 · 2,160 people served · 4 ZIP codes
City of Cave Junction's current EPA file includes 5 unresolved violations — every outstanding finding is documented in federal records for this utility, which supplies water to approximately 2,160 residents across its service territory.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Stable · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 9 (2022) to 1 (2025). Violation counts have remained relatively steady.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for City of Cave Junction Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade B
Service Area Demographics
The City of Cave Junction serves a community with a median household income of $43,689 and an estimated 10,119 residents across its service area. Approximately 61% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 75% 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 Cave Junction'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 Josephine 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 Cave Junction compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 8 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
E. coli at 25 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.
Fecal Coliform at 17 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 13 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Lead and Copper Rule at 9 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
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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 Cave Junction, (EPA ID: OR4100971) is a community water system in Oregon that serves approximately 2,160 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 4 ZIP codes across 4 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: B (71/100)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2025 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| November 3, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| September 1, 2024 | E. coli | Health-based | Resolved |
| September 1, 2024 | E. coli | Monitoring | Resolved |
| August 1, 2024 | E. coli | Health-based | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Health-based | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Monitoring | Resolved |
| December 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| November 26, 2023 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| August 26, 2023 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Gross Alpha | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Barium | Health-based | Resolved |
| May 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2023 | Barium | Health-based | Resolved |
| March 5, 2023 | Lead and Copper Rule | 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 | 25 | Yes |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 17 | Yes |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 13 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 9 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 5 | No |
| Barium | Inorganic | 4 | Yes |
| Gross Alpha | Radionuclides | 2 | No |
| Total Organic Carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 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 →
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) (EPA limit: 0.08 mg/L)
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns At-risk groups: pregnant women, long-term consumers of chlorinated water, people who frequently shower in chlorinated water.
Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, point-of-entry aeration. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 97523 | 0.00429 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 FilterFree 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 City of Cave Junction (OR4100971) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City of Cave Junction water safe to drink?
City of Cave Junction has recorded 15 health-based violations 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 Cave Junction serve?
City of Cave Junction serves approximately 2,160 people across 4 ZIP codes in Oregon.
Where does City of Cave Junction 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 Cave Junction (EPA ID: OR4100971) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.