Portland tap water: lead, PFAS and hardness

Supplied by Portland Water Bureau · EPA ID OR4100657 · 666,200 people

By Daryna Klochko · Data checked Oct 13, 2026
Short answer

Portland tap water comes from Portland Water Bureau, which serves 666,200 people. In Jan – Oct 2026 sampling, the lead 90th percentile was 5 ppb, against the 15 ppb action level. EPA-required UCMR 5 testing found no PFAS at reporting levels. Hardness is 7–80 mg/L (0.4–4.7 gpg): soft to moderately hard. EPA lists 1 health-based violation in the last 10 years, the latest in Dec 2017.

Lead · 90th pct 5 ppb Action level 15 ppb · Jan – Oct 2026 PFAS · UCMR 5 None detected 29 PFAS tested · Feb 2024 – Nov 2024 Hardness 7–80 mg/L 0.4–4.7 gpg range EPA violations · 10 yrs 2 records 1 health-based · 2 in all since 2017

These numbers describe the water system, not your tap. Lead and copper often come from pipes and fixtures inside a home, so your water can differ. Where a goal (MCLG) is 0, EPA’s goal for that contaminant is zero. Legal limits are set above it.

Is Portland tap water safe to drink?

In the latest results, every contaminant we list with a single federal limit was below that limit or action level. Lead was 5 ppb at the 90th percentile, below the 15 ppb action level. EPA’s goal for lead is zero. EPA lists 1 health-based violation in the last 10 years, the latest in Dec 2017. EPA’s record shows one health-based violation without a return-to-compliance date: treatment technique under the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (Dec 2017). See how US tap water compares nationally.

What’s in Portland tap water

Latest results from Portland Water Bureau’s 2025 report and EPA records. One row per contaminant, with the type of limit in the limit column.

ContaminantResultLimitSampledSource
LeadComes mostly from home plumbing, not from the source water. 5 ppb 90th percentile reported to EPA; previous round (2025): 4.9 ppb 15 ppbAction level · goal 0Drops to 10 ppb on Nov 1, 2027 (Lead and Copper Rule Improvements). Jan – Oct 2026 EPA SDWIS record, OR4100657
PFOA and PFOS (PFAS)Two “forever chemicals” with a federal limit. Not detected 6 samples at 2 entry points; none at or above the reporting level (4 ppt) 4.0 ppt eachLegal limit (MCL) · goal 0Utilities must comply from 2029; EPA proposed 2031 in May 2026. Feb 2024 – Nov 2024 EPA UCMR 5 final occurrence data (Aug 2026 release)
Total trihalomethanesByproducts of disinfection. 32.1 ppb Highest locational running annual average; range 16.8–41.0 80 ppbLegal limit (MCL) 2025 Portland Water Bureau 2025 Drinking Water Quality Report
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)Byproducts of disinfection. 28 ppb Highest locational running annual average; range 14.2–33.7 60 ppbLegal limit (MCL) 2025 Portland Water Bureau 2025 Drinking Water Quality Report
Chloramine (as total chlorine)Disinfectant kept in the pipes on purpose. 1.96 mg/L Highest running annual average; range 0.38–2.53 4.0 mg/LDisinfectant limit (MRDL) · goal 4 2025 Portland Water Bureau 2025 Drinking Water Quality Report

ppb = parts per billion (µg/L), ppt = parts per trillion (ng/L). The bar shows the result against the limit (black line). Limits: EPA drinking water regulations, PFAS rule, Lead and Copper Rule Improvements. “Not detected” means below the lab’s reporting level, not zero.

EPA violations

EPA’s SDWIS database lists 2 violation records for Portland Water Bureau since 2017, 1 of them health-based. 1 has no return-to-compliance date on EPA’s record.

Jul 2022 · Monitoring Revised Total Coliform Rule Back in compliance Sep 9, 2022
Dec 2017 · Treatment technique Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule Health-based No return-to-compliance date

Shown: health-based violations and everything from the last 10 years. Source: EPA SDWIS record, OR4100657, retrieved Oct 13, 2026.

How hard is Portland water?

Bull Run water, Portland’s main supply, typically has 7 to 11 mg/L, while the groundwater supply is moderately hard, about 80 mg/L.

7–80 mg/L (0.4–4.7 gpg)
Range, soft to moderately hard

The utility’s figures cover the whole system. To test the hardness at your tap, strips or a drop kit take minutes.

Classes: USGS (0–60 mg/L soft, 61–120 moderately hard, 121–180 hard, above 180 very hard). 1 gpg = 17.1 mg/L as calcium carbonate. Source: Portland Water Bureau 2025 Drinking Water Quality Report.

What to do with these numbers

Only what the data above points to.

Lead · 5 ppb

Lead comes from home plumbing

EPA’s goal for lead is zero. Older faucets, lead solder and lead service lines can add lead at your tap. A filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead reduces it.

Certified to reduce lead. Lead is not necessarily in your water.

All filters compared →
Chloramine · 1.96 mg/L

Chloramine taste and smell

Portland Water Bureau disinfects with chloramine on purpose, below the 4.0 mg/L limit. If you dislike the taste, look for a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 42 for chloramine. For home dialysis and aquariums it must be reduced first.

Certified to reduce chloramine.

Under-sink filters compared →
Your tap, not the system

Test your own water

Portland Water Bureau’s numbers come from its own sampling sites. A certified lab test of your faucet shows lead and copper from your plumbing and the chloramine level at your tap. How to test your own tap for lead, starting with your water utility.

All water tests compared →

Questions people ask

Does Portland tap water have lead?
In Jan – Oct 2026 sampling, Portland Water Bureau’s lead 90th percentile was 5 ppb (90th percentile reported to EPA; previous round (2025): 4.9 ppb). The federal action level is 15 ppb, and EPA’s goal is zero. Lead usually enters water from home plumbing, so only a test of your own tap shows your level.
Does Portland tap water have PFAS?
In EPA’s UCMR 5 testing (Feb 2024 – Nov 2024), none of 29 PFAS were found at or above reporting levels at 2 entry points of Portland Water Bureau’s system. The federal limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4.0 ppt each. Utilities must comply from 2029. On May 18, 2026 EPA proposed letting systems ask for two more years, to 2031, and dropping the 2024 limits for PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA and PFAS mixtures (the Hazard Index).
Is Portland water hard?
Portland Water Bureau reports hardness from 7 to 80 mg/L (0.4–4.7 gpg), depending on the source that supplies your area. By USGS classes that is soft to moderately hard.
Does Portland use chlorine or chloramine?
Portland Water Bureau disinfects with chloramine. The 2025 highest running annual average was 1.96 mg/L (measured as total chlorine); the federal limit (MRDL) is 4.0 mg/L.
Has Portland Water Bureau had EPA violations?
EPA’s SDWIS database lists 2 violation records for Portland Water Bureau since 2017, 1 of them health-based. 1 has no return-to-compliance date on EPA’s record. EPA lists 1 health-based violation in the last 10 years, the latest in Dec 2017.
Who supplies water in Portland?
Portland Water Bureau (EPA ID OR4100657), a community water system serving 666,200 people through 187,700 connections. Main source: surface water.

Sources and nearby

Portland Water Bureau 2025 Drinking Water Quality Reportportland.gov EPA record for Portland Water Bureau (OR4100657)echo.epa.gov EPA UCMR 5 data (PFAS and lithium)epa.gov Oregon water quality by cityOR Tacoma tap waterWASeattle tap waterWABellingham tap waterWA How we researchMethod