Is Portland Tap Water Safe to Drink in 2023?

According to Portland (OR) Water Quality Report 2023, Portland tap water is safe to drink. The contaminant levels are well below the standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the water is treated with disinfectants to ensure safety.

Please note that the Portland Water Bureau has identified up to 15,000 households at high risk for lead contamination due to copper and brass plumbing fixtures soldered with lead. To mitigate this, the city started operating a corrosion control facility in 2022, which complies with EPA regulations. Still, homeowners are advised to test their water for lead exposure.

In this article, we will list some of the most important contaminants in Portland’s tap water and the health risks they might pose.

Portland Water Quality Report: What's in the Water?

The tests conducted on Portland’s water show the presence of various contaminants like lead, barium, arsenic, copper, nitrate, and coliform bacteria. All are within the enforceable standards set by the EPA.

A Table of Contaminants for Portland Tap Water in 2023

Below is a table showing the concentrations of the most common contaminants found in Portland’s water and how they compare to the EPA regulations.

Lead

Portland tap water has a rocky history with lead exposure despite being considered one of the cleanest in the country. Since the late 1990s, the lead levels in the water have exceeded the EPA action level of 15 ppb 11 times.

The local authorities are required to intervene when the lead levels in the water exceed the actionable limit per the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. However, Portland benefited from a special agreement that allowed the city to focus on outreach and education campaigns instead of corrosion treatment.

Unlike most cities in the US, Portland never used lead water service lines. While this means lead exposure has never been a city-wide problem, the houses built between 1970 and 1985 that had lead soldering within the plumbing system are at risk for lead poisoning due to the corrosive nature of Portland’s extremely soft water.

That said, the nationwide outrage at the water crisis in Flint changed the status quo in Portland as well, with the Oregon Health Authority requiring the bureau to build a corrosion control facility. The control facility started running in 2022.

Lead poisoning is a serious health hazard for both adults and children. It can lead to behavioral issues and slowed growth in children, premature birth in pregnant women, and cardiovascular and reproductive problems in adults. According to the EPA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no safe level of exposure to lead.

The city provides free lead-in-water testing to residents, childcare providers, and schools. You can learn more about free testing via leadline.org. If there is lead contamination in the water, residents are recommended to use water filtration systems or replace their plumbing. If the test reveals lead presence in your water, check out our guide on how to remove lead from water for further advice.

Arsenic, Barium, Copper, and Fluoride

Arsenic, Copper, Fluoride, and Barium are all metals present in natural deposits and naturally occur in water.

Arsenic is linked to multiple adverse health issues, including cancer, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Barium can cause paralysis and death if consumed in large doses, fluoride can lead to bone fractures and arthritis, while copper can cause gastrointestinal distress.

However, trace amounts of arsenic, barium, copper, and fluoride in Portland's water are well below the EPA thresholds and do not pose a health risk to Portlandians.

Manganese, Sodium, and Radon

The NPA does not regulate Manganese, Radon, or Sodium levels in tap water.

Manganese is metal carried into water via natural deposits and does not pose a health risk at current levels.

Radon is a radioactive gas that cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled. It’s detected at very low levels in Portland’s Bull Run water supply and at varying amounts in the groundwater supply. At current levels, it does not pose a health risk.

There are no regulations for sodium levels in drinking water. At current levels, it’s not considered harmful.

Fecal Coliform Bacteria, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium

While Coliform bacteria do not usually make people sick, their presence in the water suggests the presence of other, more harmful bacteria. If Coliform bacteria is detected in more than 5 percent of tested water samples in a month, a further investigation is conducted to correct the situation.

Portland performs monthly testing to check for coliform bacteria and uses chlorine to control contamination levels.

In recent years, low levels of Cryptosporidium organisms have been detected in the water. Cryptosporidium is a naturally occurring microorganism that exists in most freshwater sources.

Portland does not currently treat the water for Cryptosporidium but is building a water filtration system that is planned to be put into effect by 2027 to filter the organism. At current levels, Cryptosporidium does not pose a health risk.

Haloacetic Acids and Total Trihalomethanes

Haloacetic acid (HAA5) and trihalomethanes (TTHMs) are byproducts resulting from chlorine disinfection. At high levels, they can pose health risks.

The EPA standards for HAA5 and TTHMs are set at 60 ppb and 80 ppb, respectively. At current levels, these byproducts do not have harmful effects. Portland adds ammonia to the water to minimize the occurrence of these byproducts.

Is Portland Tap Water Hard or Soft?

The Bull Run water, Portland’s main water supply, is incredibly soft with a hardness of 3–8 parts per million (ppm). The groundwater supply is moderately hard at about 80 ppm.

The extreme softness of Portland’s tap water makes it very corrosive. At this softness level, the water leaches harmful metals from plumbing fixtures and carries them into your taps.

The city started increasing tap water pH and alkalinity to control its corrosive character and reduce possible lead exposure. The pH of Portland’s tap water ranges between 8.0 and 9.0 after treatment.

If you’re unsure about your water hardness level, we recommend sending a water sample to a certified water testing lab like Simplelab Technologies.

Where Does Portland Get Its Water From?

Portland has two drinking water supplies: the Bull Run Watershed and the Columbia South Shore Well Field.

The Bull Run Watershed is a protected surface water supply managed by the Portland Water Bureau and the US Forest Service. It’s the city's main drinking water source.

The Columbia South Shore Well Field is a protected groundwater supply that provides supplementary water for the city during summer months and emergencies.

Is Portland Water Filtered?

Portland water is not filtered but treated with disinfectants and corrosion control chemicals. The city is building a filtration facility that will become operational in 2027 and is expected to reduce lead exposure and general contaminant levels.

Portland drinking water is treated in three steps:

1. Chlorine disinfectant: Controls microorganisms like bacteria and viruses.
2. Ammonia: Stabilizes the chlorine for longer-lasting disinfection properties.
3. Sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide: Reduces metal corrosion and lead contamination.

With this water treatment process, Portland can provide soft tap water that is generally safe for consumption, and constant improvements are pushing the city towards lead-free water.

Of course, individuals can install home filtration systems or use portable filters to further improve the water quality.

Does Portland Have the Cleanest Tap Water?

Portland tap water is widely considered one of the best tap water in the US, but it is not the cleanest in the state.

It is, however, incredibly soft and safe for consumption without a home filtration system, unless the plumbing is soldered with lead. You can get your water tested for lead, for free.

Regardless of the water quality report, we always recommend filtering your water.

Do People Drink Tap Water in Portland?

Many residents drink Portland tap water. It has low levels of contaminants and is considered safe for drinking without a filter, although a home filter is always a good idea.

Please note that houses built with brass and copper plumbing with lead soldering are at risk of lead poisoning due to Portland’s soft water. If your house features lead plumbing, using a home filter is a must.

Conclusion

To sum up, the water quality in Portland is quite high unless a building plumbing system features lead soldering. Portland tap water’s turbidity levels are acceptable, and the presence of dangerous contaminants like arsenic, cyanide, nitrate, and barium are way below the EPA standards.

Lead levels have been known to exceed the national action limit in houses featuring lead soldering. Although local authorities started treating the water pH for better corrosion control techniques in 2022, it’s still better to err on the side of caution and use a lead filtering system if water testing reveals lead contamination in your tap water.