Is Oregon Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Water quality data for 48 cities across Oregon. Find your city below.
Water quality in Oregon varies significantly from city to city. Across 48 cities we track, hardness ranges from 12 PPM in Astoria to 50 PPM in Hermiston, with a statewide average of 25 PPM. Most cities in Oregon have relatively soft water, so a softener is generally unnecessary.
6 Oregon cities have forever chemicals (PFAS) above the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 parts per trillion: Hermiston (29.5 ppt), Klamath Falls (15.6 ppt), Springfield (50.2 ppt), Milwaukie (5.5 ppt), Happy Valley (4.3 ppt), and 1 more. A reverse osmosis system or NSF P473-certified filter can reduce PFAS to safe levels.
48
Cities
25
Avg Hardness (PPM)
50
Hardest City (PPM)
Complete Oregon Guide
Statewide water quality overview, costs, and treatment recommendations.
Well Water in Oregon
Testing, treatment, and common issues for private wells.
Hardest Water Rankings
Oregon cities ranked by water hardness level.
City Comparisons
Hermiston vs Astoria
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Hermiston vs Prineville
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Prineville vs Pendleton
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Oregon Cities by Water Hardness
| City | Hardness (PPM) | Level | PFAS (ppt) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hermiston | 50 | Slightly Hard | 29.5 | Columbia River via USBR |
| Prineville | 48 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Crooked River & Ochoco Creek |
| Pendleton | 45 | Slightly Hard | 4.8 | Umatilla River & local wells |
| Klamath Falls | 42 | Slightly Hard | 15.6 | Upper Klamath Lake & wells |
| Redmond | 40 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Deschutes River & wells |
| La Grande | 38 | Slightly Hard | 0 | local reservoirs & Grande Ronde Rive |
| The Dalles | 35 | Slightly Hard | 0 | South Fork Mill Creek & local spring |
| Hillsboro | 30 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Joint Water Commission (Hagg Lake, Barne… |
| Grants Pass | 30 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Rogue River |
| Woodburn | 30 | Slightly Hard | 0 | local wells |
| Medford | 28 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Big Butte Springs |
| Central Point | 28 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Rogue River via Medford Water Commission |
| Stayton | 28 | Slightly Hard | 0 | North Santiam River |
| Eugene | 27 | Slightly Hard | 0 | McKenzie River |
| Corvallis | 27 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Rock Creek watershed |
| McMinnville | 26 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Haskins Creek & local reservoirs |
| Lebanon | 26 | Slightly Hard | 0 | South Santiam River & wells |
| Springfield | 25 | Slightly Hard | 50.2 | McKenzie River |
| Forest Grove | 25 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Hagg Lake & Barney Reservoir |
| Silverton | 25 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Silver Creek & Abiqua Creek |
| Beaverton | 24 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Portland system (Bull Run) |
| Newberg | 24 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Willamette River & wells |
| Dallas | 24 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Rickreall Creek reservoirs |
| Gresham | 22 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Bull Run Reservoir (Portland system) |
| Tualatin | 22 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Willamette River via JWC |
| Wilsonville | 22 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Willamette River |
| Canby | 22 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Molalla River |
| Roseburg | 22 | Slightly Hard | 0 | North Umpqua River |
| Tigard | 20 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Clackamas River via Lake Oswego-Tigard p… |
| Milwaukie | 20 | Slightly Hard | 5.5 | Clackamas River |
| Sherwood | 20 | Slightly Hard | 49.3 | Portland via Willamette River |
| Cottage Grove | 20 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Row River & local reservoirs |
| Albany | 19 | Slightly Hard | 0 | South Santiam River & Canal |
| Oregon City | 19 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Clackamas River |
| Happy Valley | 19 | Slightly Hard | 4.3 | Clackamas River via CRW |
| Lake Oswego | 18 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Clackamas River |
| West Linn | 18 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Clackamas River |
| Hood River | 18 | Slightly Hard | 0 | local springs & glacial melt |
| St. Helens | 18 | Slightly Hard | 8.9 | Scappoose Bay wells & Columbia River |
| Bend | 17 | Slightly Hard | 21.5 | Bridge Creek, Tumalo Creek |
| Troutdale | 16 | Soft | 0 | Bull Run Watershed |
| Portland | 15 | Soft | 0 | Bull Run Watershed |
| Keizer | 15 | Soft | 3.6 | Willamette River |
| Ashland | 15 | Soft | 0 | Ashland Creek & Talent Irrigation Di… |
| Coos Bay | 15 | Soft | 0 | Joe Ney & Pony Creek reservoirs |
| Salem | 14 | Soft | 0 | North Santiam River |
| Sandy | 14 | Soft | 0 | local springs & wells near Mt. Hood |
| Astoria | 12 | Soft | 0 | Bear Creek Reservoir |
Frequently Asked Questions About Oregon Water
Is Oregon tap water safe to drink?
Oregon tap water meets EPA legal standards in most cities. 6 cities have PFAS levels above the EPA health advisory of 4 ppt. Water hardness is relatively low across the state. Check your specific city above for detailed data.
Do I need a water softener in Oregon?
Most Oregon homes do not need a water softener. The state average of 25 PPM is relatively soft.
Which Oregon city has the hardest water?
Hermiston has the hardest water in Oregon at 50 PPM (2.9 GPG). Prineville is second at 48 PPM. See the full ranking.
What contaminants are in Oregon water?
The most common concerns across Oregon are chlorine and disinfection byproducts, and PFAS (forever chemicals) detected in 6 cities. Each city has different levels - check your city above for specific contaminant data.
How much does a water softener cost in Oregon?
A whole-house water softener for a typical Oregon home costs $800-$2,500 installed, depending on capacity and brand. At 25 PPM average hardness, most homes need a 32,000-48,000 grain system. Full cost breakdown.