Portland Drinking Water Quality
What's Really in Your Tap Water?
Good news for Portland residents — your tap water meets all current EPA drinking water standards. At just 30.1 ppm (1.8 gpg), the water is pleasantly soft. Lead levels test well below the EPA action level. No violations have been recorded in the past 3 years.
Safe to Drink
Meets all EPA standards
1.8 GPG hardness
Lead
Below EPA action level
EPA action level: 15 ppb
Hardness
Soft water
US Average: 100 ppm
Is Portland Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Portland tap water meets all current EPA drinking water standards.
9 contaminants were tested in Portland's water. 7 were detected — all within EPA limits.
Metals — 1 contaminant detected, all within EPA limits. Highest: Arsenic at 0.8 ppb (8% of EPA limit).
Disinfection Byproducts — 2 contaminants detected, all within EPA limits. Highest: Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 24.1 ppb (40% of EPA limit).
Inorganic Chemicals — 1 contaminant detected, all within EPA limits. Highest: Fluoride at 0.06 ppm (2% of EPA limit).
PFAS "Forever Chemicals" — No PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in available test data.
The data below shows test results from 1 water utility serving 666K people in the Portland area.
Based on publicly available data from Portland Water Bureau 2025 Drinking Water Quality Report (2024 data) - Bull Run source water (2024). Water quality can vary by location, building plumbing, and over time. This assessment reflects compliance with federal EPA standards and is not medical advice.
Do I Need a Water Filter?
Portland tap water meets all current EPA standards. No additional filtration is required based on available test data. For extra peace of mind, a basic carbon filter can improve taste.
How Portland Compares
Compared to 51 major US cities based on 2024 Consumer Confidence Report data
Lead (90th percentile)
National avg: 2.85 ppb
4.4 ppb
54% above average
Water Hardness
National avg: 127.2 ppm
9 ppm
93% softer than average
PFAS Contamination
Detected in 33% of major US cities
Not Detected
67% of cities are PFAS-free
How Hard is Portland Water?
30.1 ppm
1.8 grains per gallon
Soft water requires no treatment and is gentle on skin and appliances.
Impact on Your Home
Shower
Great for skin & hair
Kitchen
No water spots
Laundry
Clothes stay soft
Appliances
No scale buildup
Regional Comparison
Values in ppm (mg/L as CaCO₃)
Want to verify your home's exact hardness level? See our best water hardness test kits.
Range: 7–11 ppm
Based on 210 samples from Portland Water Bureau 2025 Drinking Water Quality Report (2024 data) - Bull Run source water (2024)
Your pipes tell a different story
The data above shows what leaves the treatment plant—not what comes out of your faucet. Old pipes, lead solder, and building plumbing can add contaminants the city never tests for. Know exactly what's in your Portland tap water.
Home test kits detect lead, bacteria, pesticides, and 100+ other contaminants. Results in 5-10 business days from certified labs.
Lead & Contaminants
Understanding lead levels and water quality violations in Portland
Lead Test Results
90th Percentile Lead Level
4.89 ppb
Portland lead levels are well below the EPA action level.
Regular testing is still recommended, as lead can enter water through household plumbing.
Last sampled: 2025-12-31
About Lead in Drinking Water
What is Lead in Water?
According to the EPA, lead is a toxic metal that can dissolve into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. It's invisible, tasteless, and odorless, making testing the only way to detect it. The EPA has set an action level of 15 ppb and states there is no safe level of lead exposure.
Potential Health Effects
According to the CDC: developmental delays, learning difficulties, lower IQ, behavioral issues
According to the EPA: high blood pressure, kidney damage, reproductive issues
How to Reduce Exposure
- •Run water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before drinking, especially in the morning
- •Use cold water for cooking and drinking (hot water dissolves more lead)
- •Install a NSF-certified filter designed to remove lead
- •Test your water, especially if your home was built before 1986
PFAS “Forever Chemicals”
No PFAS detected in available test data
PFAS are synthetic chemicals that don't break down in the environment. No PFAS were detected in available test data.
Chlorine (Disinfectant)
49% of EPA limit
Range: 0.38–2.53 ppm
Other Detected Contaminants
9 contaminants detected
| Contaminant | Your Water | Limit (MCL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
26.2 ppb Range: 16.8-41 RAA 20.3-32.1 ppb across monitoring sites; avg ~26. MCL compliance based on LRAA. | 80 ppb | Safe 33% of limit | |
24.1 ppb Range: 14.2-33.7 RAA 20.2-28.0 ppb across monitoring sites; avg ~24. MCL compliance based on LRAA. | 60 ppb | Safe 40% of limit | |
Chlorine (Disinfectant) | 1.95 ppm Range: 0.38-2.53 RAA 1.94-1.96 ppm across sites. Free chlorine used as primary disinfectant. | 4 ppm | Safe 49% of limit |
0.8 ppb Range: 0-1.1 Range <0.50-1.10 ppb. Well below MCL 10 ppb. | 10 ppb 0 | Safe 8% of limit | |
0.06 ppm Range: 0-0.09 Range <0.025-0.090 ppm. Naturally occurring only - Portland does NOT fluoridate its water. | 4 ppm | Safe 2% of limit | |
Manganese | 20.4 ppb Range: 2.5-35.2 Unregulated in drinking water at federal level. EPA health advisory 300 ppb. Avg 20.4 ppb; well below advisory. | N/A | Safe |
Radon | 152.2 pCi/L Range: 0-409 Detected in Columbia South Shore groundwater source. No federal MCL established for drinking water. EPA proposed MCL was 300 pCi/L (never finalized). | N/A | Safe |
0 ppt Range: 0-0 ND - Portland CCR 2025 + UCMR5 2024. Tested in Bull Run and groundwater. All 29 PFAS types non-detect. | 4 ppt 0 | Safe | |
0 ppt Range: 0-0 ND - Portland CCR 2025 + UCMR5 2024. Tested in Bull Run and groundwater. All 29 PFAS types non-detect. | 4 ppt 0 | Safe |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA legal limit)
EPA Compliance History
Excellent Record
No violations in past 3 yearsThis utility has maintained full EPA compliance. No action needed, but regular home testing is still recommended.
3-Year Violation Summary
0
Total Violations
0
Health-Related
0
Administrative
Health-Related Violations
Contaminant exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels. The EPA recommends considering certified filtration.
Administrative Violations
Missed testing deadlines or reporting. Does not indicate water quality issues.
Who Provides Portland's Water?
Utility Name
PORTLAND WATER BUREAU
EPA System ID (PWSID)
OR4100657
Primary Water Source
Surface Water
Population Served
666K
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Portland tap water quality
Nearby Cities in Oregon
Tualatin Valley
Moderate water
Salem Public Works
Soft water
Eugene
Soft water
Medford
Very Hard water
Hillsboro, City of
Moderate water
Beaverton, City of
Moderate water
This data is for informational purposes only. Water quality can vary by neighborhood and building. For official reports, contact your local water utility or the EPA. Learn about our methodology
Data source: Portland Water Bureau 2025 Drinking Water Quality Report (2024 data) - Bull Run source water (2024) • View report