Oregon Water Report Card: Worst Water Systems
The most contaminated public water systems in Oregon, ranked by PFAS levels, lead, and EPA violations from official EPA data.
Quick Answer
Sherwood, City Of has the highest PFAS in Oregon at 41.3 ppt (10x the EPA limit). Umpqua Basin Water Assoc has the highest lead at 35 ppb. The tables below rank the worst systems in each category so you can see how your water compares.
Highest PFAS Levels in Oregon
Public water systems in Oregon with the highest peak PFAS ("forever chemical") reading in EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025). The EPA enforceable limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt.
| # | Water System | Location | Peak PFAS (ppt) | Compounds | vs 4 ppt limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sherwood, City Of | Sherwood · 19,885 served | 41.3 | 2 | 10x |
| 2 | Ruch Elementary Sd 549 | – | 33.4 | 7 | 8x |
| 3 | Springfield Utility Board | Springfield · 62,100 served | 18.6 | 5 | 5x |
| 4 | St Helens, City Of | St Helens · 13,410 served | 15.5 | 1 | 4x |
| 5 | Hermiston, City Of | Hermiston · 20,000 served | 12 | 4 | 3x |
| 6 | Molalla, City Of | Molalla · 10,298 served | 11.3 | 1 | 3x |
| 7 | Klamath Falls Water Dept | Klamath Falls · 40,475 served | 9.5 | 3 | 2x |
| 8 | Rainbow Water District | Springfield · 6,300 served | 9.4 | 2 | 2x |
| 9 | Bend Water Department | Bend · 77,704 served | 8.7 | 4 | 2x |
| 10 | Marcola Water District | Springfield · 600 served | 7.4 | 2 | 2x |
| 11 | Estacada, City Of | Estacada · 5,750 served | 7.4 | 1 | 2x |
| 12 | Milwaukie, City Of | Milwaukie · 20,946 served | 7 | 1 | 2x |
Highest Lead Levels in Oregon
Community water systems in Oregon with the highest 90th-percentile lead result under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA action level is 15 ppb; there is no safe level of lead for children.
| # | Water System | Location | Lead 90th-pctile (ppb) | vs 15 ppb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Umpqua Basin Water Assoc | Roseburg · 9,499 served | 35 | 2.3x over |
| 2 | Drain, City Of | Drain · 1,194 served | 31 | 2.1x over |
| 3 | Neskowin Reg Water Dist | Neskowin · 1,735 served | 29.5 | 2.0x over |
| 4 | Fairview, City Of | Fairview · 9,963 served | 28 | 1.9x over |
| 5 | Heceta Water Peoples Utility District | Florence · 4,921 served | 21.3 | 1.4x over |
| 6 | Portland Water Bureau | Portland · 666,200 served | 21 | 1.4x over |
| 7 | Pleasant Home Water District | Gresham · 1,510 served | 21 | 1.4x over |
| 8 | Palatine Hill Water District | Portland · 1,500 served | 21 | 1.4x over |
| 9 | West Slope Water District | Portland · 11,000 served | 21 | 1.4x over |
| 10 | Valley View Water District | Newberg · 1,034 served | 21 | 1.4x over |
| 11 | Raleigh Water District | Portland · 4,500 served | 21 | 1.4x over |
| 12 | Perrydale Domestic Wtr Assn | Amity · 2,655 served | 20 | 1.3x over |
Most EPA Violations in Oregon
Community water systems in Oregon with the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
| # | Water System | Location | Health-based violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nyssa, City Of | Nyssa · 3,285 served | 27 |
| 2 | Vale, City Of | Vale · 1,837 served | 26 |
| 3 | Sandy, City Of | Sandy · 12,991 served | 16 |
| 4 | Canyonville, City Of | Canyonville · 1,662 served | 9 |
| 5 | Lafayette, City Of | Lafayette · 4,423 served | 9 |
| 6 | Gladstone, City Of | Gladstone · 12,121 served | 8 |
| 7 | Youngs River Lewis & Clark Wd | Astoria · 2,580 served | 6 |
| 8 | Colton Water District | Colton · 1,500 served | 6 |
| 9 | Coquille, City Of | Coquille · 3,953 served | 5 |
| 10 | Reedsport, City Of | Reedsport · 4,836 served | 4 |
| 11 | Rickreall Water Association | Rickreall · 1,650 served | 4 |
| 12 | Drain, City Of | Drain · 1,194 served | 4 |
How This Report Card Is Built
PFAS rankings use EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), showing each system's peak detection above the 4 ppt EPA limit. Lead rankings use the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results. Violation counts come from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and count health-based violations. Lead and violation lists are limited to community water systems serving 1,000 or more people. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most PFAS-contaminated water system in Oregon?
In EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025), Sherwood, City Of in Sherwood had the highest recorded PFAS level in Oregon at 41.3 ppt - about 10x the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS.
Which Oregon water system has the highest lead levels?
Umpqua Basin Water Assoc in Roseburg had the highest 90th-percentile lead result in Oregon under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule at 35 ppb - 2.3x the 15 ppb action level.
Which Oregon water system has the most EPA violations?
Nyssa, City Of in Nyssa has the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record in Oregon, with 27 violations.
Where does the Oregon water report card data come from?
PFAS figures come from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), lead from the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results, and violations from EPA SDWIS health-based violation records. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water. Check your exact address at knowyourexposure.com.
What Oregon Residents Should Do
- Look up your exact address at knowyourexposure.com for your system's data
- See the full Oregon water quality overview
- If your system is listed, a certified filter (reverse osmosis for PFAS, NSF-53 for lead) reduces exposure at the tap. See the best water filters.