WaterQ
Oregon State Report All States
Official Status: March 2026

Is Salem tap water safe to drink?

✓ Generally Safe
B

Mostly yes — Salem scores 84/100.

Safety Score
84
out of 100

Still not sure if you need a filter in Salem?

Read Decision Guide →

Salem

Oregon

View Oregon state report Data updated: Mar 2026

Is Salem tap water safe to drink?

Mostly yes — Salem scores 84/100. This report aggregates EPA drinking water data across 1 local system in Salem. We found 0 total violations (0 unresolved).

Real-Time Environment

Live: 03:30 PM
0mm Precipitation

☀️ No active precipitation. Rainfall can impact surface water turbidity and pollutant runoff in Salem.

Water Quality Impact

✅ Minimal Impact Localized weather conditions may influence test result variability.

🛡️ Home Water Treatment Needs

Should you invest in filtration or softening for your home in Salem?

Requirement Status
Recommended
🟡
💡

Expert Advice

Given the safety margin, a Carbon Block or sediment filter is recommended to improve taste and remove trace particulates.

Buying a Filter?

Filter or no filter for Salem water? Here's what the data says.

Baby Formula Safety

What new parents in Salem should know about tap water safety.

Homebuyer's Perspective

Water quality is easy to overlook when evaluating a move to Salem, but it can affect plumbing longevity and appliance lifespan. The high safety score (84/100) suggests lower risk for plumbing corrosion and appliance scaling.

Property Impact: Positive / Stable

Health & Family Safety

Residents should monitor Trichloroethylene (TCE) levels. Pregnant women and families with young children should consult the specific EPA health goals listed below.

View Health Risk Glossary →

Compliance Record for Salem

0
Violations (5yr)
0
Unresolved
7
Contaminants Tracked
1
Exceeding EPA Limit

Based on EPA SDWIS violation records and contaminant test results for all water systems serving Salem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Salem tap water safe to drink?

Mostly yes — Salem scores 84/100.

How many water systems serve Salem?

Salem is served by 1 public water system in our latest EPA-backed dataset.

How can I check water quality for my exact address in Salem?

Use the WaterQ search tool to look up your ZIP code and view nearby systems, contaminant levels, and recent violations for Salem.

What is the water quality score for Salem?

The water quality score for Salem is 84 out of 100, based on EPA contaminant data, violation history, and testing results for all serving water systems.

What are the top contaminants in Salem?

The top contaminants detected in Salem include Trichloroethylene (TCE), Barium, Arsenic. View detailed information on our contaminants page.

Water Quality Score
84/100
Grade
B
Water Systems
2
Population
213,720

Salem Water Quality Summary

Salem, OR receives a water quality score of 84/100 (Grade B) based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) compliance data for 2 public water systems serving the area.

Salem's water quality is above the national average, with strong compliance records and low contaminant levels. Residents generally receive clean, safe tap water that meets EPA standards.

Salem's score of 84 is 3 points below the Oregon state average of 87, and above the nationwide average of roughly 78/100 across all U.S. states.

Residents of this mid-size Oregon city benefit from a Pacific Northwest location surrounded by forested mountains and coastline, which naturally yields generally clean source water. Salem distributes this supply through dual water systems to serve the community's household needs. Prospective homebuyers will find that the water quality consistently achieves a solid, respectable grade. Overall, the local systems effectively deliver the region's clean natural resources directly to residential taps.

Water quality data is sourced from the U.S. EPA SDWIS database and updated quarterly. Learn about our scoring methodology → Read our Oregon water quality rankings report →

Key Contaminants

Trichloroethylene (TCE) Violation
9.3722 / 5 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 5 μg/L
Barium
1.9148 / 2 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 2 mg/L
Arsenic
6.914 / 10 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 10 μg/L
PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate)
0.0021 / 0.004 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 0.004 μg/L
Chromium (Total)
47.2324 / 100 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 100 μg/L
Nitrate
3.6787 / 10 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 10 mg/L
Manganese
18.037 / 50 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 50 μg/L

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Water Systems Serving Salem (1)

Related

Compare Salem water quality: View all states · Contaminant library · How we score water quality