Is Albany, OR Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Albany tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 19 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Albany Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Albany Compares
Albany's water is 86% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 94% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Oregon, it ranks #33 of 48 cities (24% below the state average of 25 PPM). Among cities (50k-100k), Albany ranks #244 of 258 for hardness.
What Albany's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 19 PPM - Low Concern
Albany's water is slightly hard at 19 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. Albany is softer than 93% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment, contaminant filtration is where to focus your money, not softening.
Contaminants & Safety
Disinfection byproducts are the notable finding here. Albany's water has TTHMs at 41.7 ppb and HAA5 at 19.4 ppb — both within legal limits, but the EWG health guidelines are far stricter. These byproducts form when chlorine reacts with organic matter during treatment. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and its byproducts. Want the full picture? Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
What's in the Treatment Process
Albany's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 41.7 ppb (52% of the legal limit, but 278x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 19.4 ppb (32% of the legal limit, but 194x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 19 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 31 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 0 ppt | — | No total limit | ✓ ND |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 1.4 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.7 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | Not reported | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | N/A |
Recommendations for Albany Homes
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.7 mg/L chlorine, many Albany residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Albany
City-wide data is a solid starting point, but your specific tap might differ based on plumbing age, distance from the treatment plant, or seasonal changes.
Free option: Request City of Albany Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
📊 Already Tested Your Water?
City averages miss neighborhood-level variation. Share your results to help your neighbors get better data.
We review every submission before publishing. Your ZIP is shown; your identity is not.
About Albany's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of Albany Water
Water Source: South Santiam River & Canal (Surface Water)
Population Served: 57,997
Hardness: 19 PPM (1.1 grains per gallon)
Albany's drinking water comes from surface sources — South Santiam River & Canal. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 58,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Albany Water's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by City of Albany Water in Albany, OR, including ZIP codes:
97321, 97322, 97352, 97389
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Albany to Other Oregon Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Albany Water
Is Albany tap water safe to drink?
Where does Albany's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Albany?
What are disinfection byproducts in Albany's water?
Why does Albany water taste like chlorine?
Can I drink Albany tap water straight from the faucet?
What water filter is best for Albany?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Albany Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 19 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Albany's water data.