Drinking water quality · 2023
· Verified
What's in Salem, OR tap water
53 contaminants were measured in the Salem, OR water system's 2023 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit.
- Reporting year
- 2023
- Contaminants measured
- 53
- Over federal limit
- 0
- Approaching the limit
- 0
- Service area
- OR
state-level CCR
Where your water comes from · EPA SDWIS
Salem, OR's drinking water comes from ground water, drawn from 1 source.
Source
1ground water
- WELL
Treatment
1treatment plant
- PUMPHOUSE & TREATMENT PLANT
Distribution
1storage units
Source: EPA SDWIS facilities inventory. Methodology.
Historical readings · EPA Six-Year Review (2012–2019)
11 historically-detected contaminants in Salem, OR
Every U.S. public water system reports compliance-monitoring data to EPA. The Six-Year Review releases the 2012–2019 window as a single dataset — here's what your system reported, year by year. Values shown are the highest detection per analyte per year, compared to the federal MCL.
| Contaminant | Worst detection | EPA limit | Years (2012–2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
NITRATE worst: 2014 | 4.04 mg/L within | 10 mg/L | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
NITRATE NITRITE worst: 2013 | 3.58 mg/L within | 10 mg/L | '13'19 |
RADIUM 226 228 worst: 2017 | 1.3 pCi/L within below national p90 | 5 pCi/L | '13'17 |
GROSS ALPHA worst: 2013 | 3.6 pCi/L within | 15 pCi/L | '13 |
TTHM worst: 2014 | 0.00586 mg/L within | 0.08 mg/L | '12'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
COPPER worst: 2012 | 0.787 mg/L near national p90 | — | '12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
LEAD worst: 2013 | 0.002 mg/L | — | '13'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
BROMODICHLOROMETHANE worst: 2014 | 0.00125 mg/L | — | '14'15'16'17'19 |
BROMOFORM worst: 2012 | 0.00148 mg/L | — | '12'14'15'16'17'18 |
CHLOROFORM worst: 2012 | 0.00062 mg/L | — | '12'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
DIBROMOCHLOROMETHANE worst: 2012 | 0.00117 mg/L | — | '12'14'15'16'17'18'19 |
PWSID 104101132 · Source: EPA Six-Year Review 4 (2012–2019). Values are the highest detection in each calendar year; non-detect years are omitted. Year tags above show every year with a detection.
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 11.3 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 20 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— John Neal Park, Little North Santiam River
| |||
| Chromium, TotalTotal chromium — the sum of all chromium forms, from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 1.2 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 100 ug/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| Strontium | 0.032 mg/LReported levelLittle North Santiam River | 4 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— Little North Santiam River, John Neal Park
| |||
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0.0022 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 2 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— Little North Santiam River, John Neal Park
| |||
| LithiumA naturally occurring element found in some groundwater. | Not detected ug/LReported levelAldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jul - 23 | None set | None detected |
+By source (5)— Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jul - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Oct - 23, Aquifer Storage and Recovery Well System Nov - 23 +2 more
| |||
| CalciumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 3.9 mg/LReported levelLittle North Santiam River | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Little North Santiam River, John Neal Park
| |||
| MagnesiumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 1.6 mg/LReported levelLittle North Santiam River | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Little North Santiam River, John Neal Park
| |||
| SilicaA naturally occurring compound from sand and rock. | 23 mg/LReported levelLittle North Santiam River | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Little North Santiam River, John Neal Park
| |||
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChlorineA disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses. | 1.8 mg/LMaximumSystem-wide | 4 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. | 0.5 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 4 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Dissolved SolidsTotal dissolved solids — the combined content of all dissolved minerals and salts. | 39 mg/LReported levelJohn Neal Park | 500 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— John Neal Park, Little North Santiam River
| |||
| HardnessA measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals. | 16 mg/LReported levelJohn Neal Park | 250 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— John Neal Park, Little North Santiam River
| |||
| AlkalinityA measure of the water's capacity to neutralize acids. | 11 mg/LReported levelJohn Neal Park | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— John Neal Park, Little North Santiam River
| |||
| Bicarbonate | 14 mg/LReported levelJohn Neal Park | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— John Neal Park, Little North Santiam River
| |||
| Specific ConductanceA measure of how well water conducts electricity, which tracks dissolved mineral content. | 32Reported levelJohn Neal Park | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— John Neal Park, Little North Santiam River
| |||
| TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. | 0.33 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Little North Santiam River, John Neal Park
| |||
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.16 NTUMaximumSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Beta Particle ActivityGross beta particle activity — a combined measure of beta-emitting radioactive substances. | 1.19 pCi/LAverageSystem-wide | 40 pCi/LMCLG | Within the limit |
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS)11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid, a chlorinated PFAS compound. | Not detected ug/LReported levelAldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) April - 23 | None set | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) April - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jul - 23 +3 more
| |||
| 4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)ADONA, a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound. | Not detected ug/LReported levelAldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Oct - 23 | None set | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Oct - 23, Aquifer Storage and Recovery Well System Nov - 23 +3 more
| |||
| 4:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (4:2 FTS)4:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ug/LReported levelAldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jan - 23 | None set | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jan - 23, Aquifer Storage and Recovery Well System Nov - 23 +3 more
| |||
| 6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS)6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ug/LReported levelAldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jul - 23 | None set | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jul - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Oct - 23 +3 more
| |||
| 8:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (8:2 FTS)8:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detectedReported levelNorth Santiam River | 0.002MCL | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jan - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) April - 23 +3 more
| |||
| 9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS)9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid, a chlorinated PFAS compound. | Not detected ug/LReported levelAquifer Storage and Recovery Well System Nov - 23 | None set | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aquifer Storage and Recovery Well System Nov - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jul - 23 +3 more
| |||
| Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acidHFPO-DA ('GenX chemicals'), a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound. | Not detected ug/LReported levelAldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jan - 23 | None set | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jan - 23, Aquifer Storage and Recovery Well System Nov - 23 +3 more
| |||
| N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA)N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ug/LReported levelAldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) April - 23 | None set | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) April - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jul - 23 +3 more
| |||
| N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA)N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ug/LReported levelAldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Oct - 23 | None set | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Oct - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) April - 23 +3 more
| |||
| Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acidNonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ug/LReported levelAldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jul - 23 | None set | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jul - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) April - 23 +3 more
| |||
| Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA)Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detected ug/LReported levelAldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) April - 23 | None set | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) April - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Oct - 23 +3 more
| |||
| Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA)Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detectedReported levelNorth Santiam River | 0.002MCL | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Oct - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) April - 23 +3 more
| |||
| Perfluorobutanesulfonic acidPerfluorobutanesulfonic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelAldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jan - 23 | None set | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jan - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jul - 23 +3 more
| |||
| Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)Perfluorodecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detectedReported levelNorth Santiam River | 0.002MCL | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Oct - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jul - 23 +3 more
| |||
| Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)Perfluorododecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelAldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) April - 23 | None set | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) April - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jul - 23 +3 more
| |||
| Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelAldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jan - 23 | None set | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jan - 23, Aquifer Storage and Recovery Well System Nov - 23 +3 more
| |||
| Perfluoroheptanoic acidPerfluoroheptanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelAldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Oct - 23 | None set | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Oct - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) April - 23 +3 more
| |||
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPerfluorohexanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelAquifer Storage and Recovery Well System Nov - 23 | None set | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aquifer Storage and Recovery Well System Nov - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jul - 23 +3 more
| |||
| Perfluorohexanoic acidPerfluorohexanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelAldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) April - 23 | None set | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) April - 23, Aquifer Storage and Recovery Well System Nov - 23 +3 more
| |||
| Perfluorononanoic acidPerfluorononanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelAldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) April - 23 | None set | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) April - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jul - 23 +3 more
| |||
| Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detectedReported levelNorth Santiam River | 0.002MCL | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jan - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Oct - 23 +3 more
| |||
| Perfluoropentanoic acidPerfluoropentanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detectedReported levelNorth Santiam River | 0.002MCL | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aquifer Storage and Recovery Well System Nov - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Oct - 23 +3 more
| |||
| Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA)Perfluorotetradecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelAldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jan - 23 | None set | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jan - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jul - 23 +3 more
| |||
| Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)Perfluorotridecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelAldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) April - 23 | None set | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) April - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jul - 23 +3 more
| |||
| Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)Perfluoroundecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelAldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jan - 23 | None set | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jan - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jul - 23 +3 more
| |||
| PFBAPerfluorobutanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detected ug/LReported levelAldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) April - 23 | None set | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) April - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jan - 23 +3 more
| |||
| PFOAPerfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products. | Not detected ug/LReported levelAldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Oct - 23 | None set | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Oct - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jan - 23 +3 more
| |||
| PFOSPerfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in firefighting foam and coatings. | Not detectedReported levelNorth Santiam River | 0.002MCL | None detected |
+By source (6)— North Santiam River, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Jan - 23, Aldersgate (entry point to the disribution system) Oct - 23 +3 more
| |||
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| BromateA disinfection byproduct formed when bromide-containing water is treated with ozone. | 8 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | 0 ug/LMCLG | Detected — no federal limit |
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 40 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 0 ug/LMCLG | Detected — no federal limit |
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total ColiformA group of bacteria used as an indicator of overall water-system sanitation. | 1446Reported levelSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Source: Salem, OR's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. utility is required to publish. The numbers on this page are the utility's own. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
People also ask about Salem, OR's water
+Is Salem, OR tap water safe to drink in 2023?
Every one of the 53 contaminants measured in Salem, OR's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report is below its federal limit. "Safe" under the EPA's drinking-water standards is health-based, not aesthetic — but by those standards, no measured contaminant in this report exceeds its enforceable threshold. Individual health concerns (e.g. immunocompromised, infant, pregnancy) may warrant additional filtering regardless of compliance.
+What contaminants are in Salem, OR tap water?
53 contaminants were measured in Salem, OR's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning pfas ("forever chemicals"), metals, and physical & aggregate. 21 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from Salem, OR's 2023 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 Salem, 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 2023 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.