Is Wilsonville, OR Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Wilsonville tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 22 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Wilsonville Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Wilsonville Compares
Wilsonville's water is 84% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 91% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Oregon, it ranks #26 of 48 cities (12% below the state average of 25 PPM). Among smaller cities, Wilsonville ranks #249 of 288 for hardness.
What Wilsonville's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 22 PPM - Low Concern
Wilsonville's water is slightly hard at 22 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. Wilsonville is softer than 90% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment, contaminant filtration is where to focus your money, not softening.
Contaminants & Safety
Lead levels deserve attention. At 7.6 ppb, Wilsonville is above the ideal of zero, though below the EPA action level of 15 ppb (dropping to 10 ppb in November 2027 under the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements). The lead typically comes from aging service lines or interior plumbing, not the treatment plant. A point-of-use filter certified for lead at the kitchen faucet is a practical safeguard, especially in older homes.
What's in the Treatment Process
Wilsonville's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 10.1 ppb (13% of the legal limit, but 67x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 4.08 ppb (7% of the legal limit, but 41x 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 0.058 ppb, which is 2.9x 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) | 22 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 38 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 | 7.6 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ⚠ Elevated |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 0.7 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.67 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
How to Test Your Water in Wilsonville
Lead enters water from your home's plumbing, not the treatment plant — so Wilsonville's city-wide average of 7.6 ppb may not match your tap. Testing your specific faucet is the only way to know. Run cold water for 30 seconds before collecting a sample.
Free option: Request City of Wilsonville 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 Wilsonville's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of Wilsonville Water
Water Source: Willamette River (Surface Water)
Population Served: 25,915
Hardness: 22 PPM (1.3 grains per gallon)
Wilsonville's drinking water comes from surface sources — Willamette River. 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 26,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Wilsonville 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 Wilsonville Water in Wilsonville, OR, including ZIP codes:
97002, 97070
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Wilsonville to Other Oregon Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Wilsonville Water
Is Wilsonville tap water safe to drink?
Where does Wilsonville's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Wilsonville?
What water filter is best for Wilsonville?
Is Wilsonville water safe for babies and infants?
What are disinfection byproducts in Wilsonville's water?
Is chromium-6 in Wilsonville's water?
Can I drink Wilsonville tap water straight from the faucet?
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 Wilsonville Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 22 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Wilsonville's water data.