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Portland, OR Tap Water Snapshot

Water utility: Portland Water Bureau · Source: surface · Population: 641,162

This is a static editorial summary built from public utility and state drinking-water sources. It is meant to orient first-time visitors, not act as a live compliance dashboard.

Overall Snapshot Rating

Good

4 contaminants exceed health guidelines

Research snapshot based on public records and utility reporting.

Editorial update: 2026-03-01

How This Page Was Researched

We keep these pages repo-owned and static. The goal is to show the source trail behind the summary and point readers to the official utility or state records when they want the latest published numbers.

PWSID
OR4100657
Research checked
2026-04-03
State source
Open state record
Utility report
Open utility report

Contaminants Found in Portland Water

ContaminantDetected LevelEPA LimitEWG RecommendationRisk
LeadExceeds EWG4.1 ppb15 ppb0.5 ppbmoderate
Chlorine1.5 mg/L4 mg/Llow
Total TrihalomethanesExceeds EWG28 ppb80 ppb0.8 ppblow
CryptosporidiumExceeds EWG0.04 oocysts/L0 oocysts/Lmoderate
PFAS (combined)Exceeds EWG2.8 ppt4 ppt1 pptmoderate

Recommended Filters for Portland

Practical product picks for the contaminants highlighted in this snapshot page.

Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher

Clearly Filtered

Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher

Simple drinking-water option for renters prioritizing lead reduction without plumbing work

Best for: Renters and no-install households that want a pitcher positioned for broader contaminant reduction

  • Broad contaminant reduction positioning including PFAS and lead
  • No installation required — ready out of the box
  • Published performance data from the brand
SpringWell CF1 Whole House Water Filter

SpringWell

SpringWell CF1 Whole House Water Filter

Whole-home pretreatment option for homeowners focused on chlorine taste and general filtration

Best for: Homeowners who want whole-home pretreatment and plan to pair it with a dedicated drinking-water filter

  • Whole-house catalytic carbon system for chlorine, taste, and odor reduction
  • 1,000,000-gallon filter capacity
  • Minimal pressure drop (less than 1 PSI)
APEC ROES-50 Reverse Osmosis System

APEC

APEC ROES-50 Reverse Osmosis System

Lower-cost RO option when the goal is stronger point-of-use treatment for lead and byproducts

Best for: Budget-conscious homeowners wanting reliable RO filtration with low annual cost

  • Excellent value — best RO under $200
  • Long-lasting filters (6–12 months pre/post, 2–3 years RO membrane)
  • WQA Gold Seal certified