Drinking water quality · 2024
· Verified
What's in Portland, OR tap water
16 contaminants were measured in the Portland, OR water system's 2024 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 1 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2024
- Contaminants measured
- 16
- Over federal limit
- 1
- Approaching the limit
- 0
- Worst contaminant
- Turbidity
- Service area
- OR
Where your water comes from · EPA SDWIS
Portland, OR's drinking water comes from ground water, drawn from 28 sources.
Source
- SGA · 14
- TSA · 6
- BLA · 4
- BULL RUN RIVER
- + 3 more
Treatment
- TP FOR BULL RUN
- TP FOR GROUND WATER PUMP STATION
Distribution
Compliance history
Federal Safe Drinking Water Act violation & enforcement records (EPA SDWIS). A violation is a regulatory determination by the state or EPA — separate from the measured levels above.
- Maximum contaminant level exceededHealth-based3 violations on record · most recent Sep 2013resolved
- Treatment technique violationHealth-based1 violation on record · most recent Dec 20171 open
Source: EPA SDWIS / ECHO. View the full federal record on EPA ECHO ↗
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.22–1.65 NTUReported levelSystem-wide | 1 NTUMCL | At or above the limit |
Other
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine Total | 0.38–2.53 mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 14.2–33.7 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. | 16.8–41 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | 0.0044 mg/L90th percentileAt the tap | 0.015 mg/LAction level | Within the limit |
| ArsenicA naturally occurring element that also enters water from industry and agriculture. | 0–1.1 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 0.14 mg/L90th percentileAt the tap | 1.3 mg/LAction level | Within the limit |
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0.0008–0.01 mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | 2 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock. | 20.4 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 12 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | 0–0.31 mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | 10 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. | 0–0.09 mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | 4 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli (E. coli)Escherichia coli — bacteria found in the gut of humans and animals. | 0–26Reported levelSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Giardia lamblia | 0–0.04Reported levelSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Total ColiformA group of bacteria used as an indicator of overall water-system sanitation. | 0.6 %Reported levelSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| RadonA naturally occurring radioactive gas that can dissolve into groundwater. | 152.2 pCi/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
People also ask about Portland, OR's water
+Is Portland, OR tap water safe to drink in 2024?
The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report for the Portland, OR water utility lists 1 contaminant at or above the federal limit: Turbidity. Whether that means the water is "unsafe" depends on which contaminant, how long the exposure, and individual health factors. The table on this page shows the measured value, the federal threshold, and the regulated statistic used for compliance.
+What contaminants are in Portland, OR tap water?
16 contaminants were measured in Portland, OR's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning metals, microbial, and disinfection byproducts. 6 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.
+Which contaminants exceed federal limits in Portland, OR tap water?
One contaminant in Portland, OR's 2024 report sits at or above the federal limit: Turbidity (1.6× the limit). The EPA enforces these limits against the regulated reporting statistic — typically a running annual average or 90th percentile — not a one-off sample spike.
+What is the worst contaminant in Portland, OR tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2024 report is Turbidity, at 1.6× the federal threshold. It belongs to the physical & aggregate family of contaminants.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from Portland, OR's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. public water utility is required by federal law to publish. The original source document is archived and viewable on this site. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
+How often is Portland, OR's water quality data updated?
Each U.S. public water utility publishes one Consumer Confidence Report per year, covering the prior calendar year's measurements. This page reflects the 2024 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.