Is Forest Grove, OR tap water safe?
Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it
Summary
No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for City of Forest Grove.
City of Forest Grove supplies Forest Grove (26,838 people).
Water system
City of Forest Grove
26,838 people · Surface water · EPA ID OR4100305
Buys treated water from Joint Water Commission.
| PFAS | Highest average | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| PFOA Not detected | – | 4 ppt |
| PFOS Not detected | – | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
| PFNA Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.
Lead: 3.6 ppb at the 90th percentile (Nov 2026, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0
Across Oregon, 9 of 123 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 16 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Oregon results.
Forest Grove homes and lead pipes
Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.
Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Forest Grove city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.
How nearby cities compare
| City | PFAS | Lead (90th pct.) |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsboro 8 mi Tualatin Valley Water District | None above limits | 5.3 ppb |
| Beaverton 15 mi Portland Water Bureau | None above limits | 5.01 ppb |
| Newberg 17 mi City of Newberg | None above limits | 2.32 ppb |
| Tigard 17 mi Portland Water Bureau | None above limits | 5.01 ppb |
| Tualatin 19 mi City of Tualatin | None above limits | 4.93 ppb |
| Lake Oswego 21 mi Portland Water Bureau | None above limits | 5.01 ppb |
Forest Grove ZIP codes (1)
- 97116
Questions
Is Forest Grove tap water safe to drink?
City of Forest Grove has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.
Who supplies water in Forest Grove, OR?
City of Forest Grove, which serves 26,838 people.
Does Forest Grove tap water have PFAS?
None detected above EPA's reporting limits. City of Forest Grove had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.
Do Forest Grove homes have lead pipes?
Census estimates put 48% of Forest Grove homes as built before 1980 (Oregon: 49%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. City of Forest Grove's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.
Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.