Is Oregon City, 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 Oregon City Water System.
Oregon City Water System supplies Oregon City (33,940 people).
Water system
Oregon City Water System
33,940 people · Purchased surface water · EPA ID OR4101511
Buys treated water from South Fork Water Board.
| 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: 1.84 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2024, 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.
Oregon City 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 Oregon City city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.
How nearby cities compare
| City | PFAS | Lead (90th pct.) |
|---|---|---|
| West Linn 3 mi City of West Linn | None above limits | 1.84 ppb |
| Lake Oswego 7 mi Portland Water Bureau | None above limits | 5.01 ppb |
| Happy Valley 8 mi Portland Water Bureau | None above limits | 5.01 ppb |
| Wilsonville 9 mi City of Wilsonville | None above limits | 7.6 ppb |
| Tualatin 9 mi City of Tualatin | None above limits | 4.93 ppb |
| Tigard 11 mi Portland Water Bureau | None above limits | 5.01 ppb |
Oregon City ZIP codes (1)
- 97045
Questions
Is Oregon City tap water safe to drink?
Oregon City Water System 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 Oregon City, OR?
Oregon City Water System, which serves 33,940 people.
Does Oregon City tap water have PFAS?
None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Oregon City Water System 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 Oregon City homes have lead pipes?
Census estimates put 41% of Oregon City 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. Oregon City Water System'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.