Is The Dalles, OR Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, The Dalles tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 35 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where The Dalles Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How The Dalles Compares
The Dalles's water is 75% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 79% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Oregon, it ranks #7 of 48 cities (40% above the state average of 25 PPM). Among smaller cities, The Dalles ranks #201 of 288 for hardness.
What The Dalles's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 35 PPM - Low Concern
The Dalles's water is slightly hard at 35 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. The Dalles is softer than 79% 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. The Dalles's water has TTHMs at 19.6 ppb and HAA5 at 14.2 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
The Dalles's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 19.6 ppb (25% of the legal limit, but 131x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 14.2 ppb (24% of the legal limit, but 142x 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.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.101 ppb, which is 5x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. 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) | 35 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 60 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 | 0.8 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 0.4 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | Not reported | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | N/A |
Good news for The Dalles residents. Your water quality is generally good. Most homes in this area do not need a water softener. If you have concerns about lead (especially in buildings constructed before 1986) or chlorine taste, a point-of-use filter is the most practical and cost-effective solution.
How to Test Your Water in The Dalles
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 The Dalles Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About The Dalles's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of The Dalles Water
Water Source: South Fork Mill Creek & local springs (Surface Water)
Population Served: 13,010
Hardness: 35 PPM (2 grains per gallon)
The Dalles's drinking water comes from surface sources — South Fork Mill Creek & local springs. 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 13,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of The Dalles 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 The Dalles Water in The Dalles, OR, including ZIP codes:
97021, 97029, 97033, 97037, 97039, 97050, 97057, 97058, 97063, 97065, 97823, 97861, 98613, 98617, 98620, 98628, 98635, 98670, 98673, 99356
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare The Dalles to Other Oregon Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About The Dalles Water
Is The Dalles tap water safe to drink?
Where does The Dalles's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in The Dalles?
What are disinfection byproducts in The Dalles's water?
Is chromium-6 in The Dalles's water?
Can I drink The Dalles tap water straight from the faucet?
How does The Dalles compare to the Oregon average?
What water filter is best for The Dalles?
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.