Portland is a Sanctuary City
Services, Guides, and Information
29 services and resources found
2025 Drinking Water Quality Report
Information
This annual report contains important information about Portland's drinking water and water system.
About Portland's drinking water quality
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The Water Bureau strives to provide excellent drinking water every minute of every day. We work hard to protect public health by providing safe and reliable drinking water to homes and businesses in the Portland region.
Contact the Water Bureau
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We're here to help. Find contact information for our programs and services below.
Cryptosporidium and drinking water
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Find Cryptosporidium test results and learn how we're changing our water treatment to address Cryptosporidium. If you have a condition that puts you at greater risk from Cryptosporidium in drinking water, find out how you can reduce your risk.
Drinking water test results
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We test Portland’s drinking water to make sure it meets all state and federal standards. You can see water quality reports and data on this page.
Filtering or treating drinking water at home
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Learn about drinking water filters, and, if you choose to use one, how to pick the right one for you.
Water providers routinely measure pH, the water's acidity and alkalinity. The pH of Portland's water ranges between 8.0 and 9.0. You may want to measure water pH at your home if you have aquarium pets. This page contains our tips for you.
Keeping your drinking water safe
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Delivering safe, clean, and reliable drinking water is our highest priority.
Lead and drinking water
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Learn how lead enters drinking water, how you can test for lead and reduce your exposure to lead in water, and what the Water Bureau is doing to reduce lead in water.
Lead-in-water testing order form for child care providers in Portland, Oregon
City of Portland Website
The Portland Water Bureau provides free water testing for our customers in Portland, OR. Our testing meets the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care lead testing requirements for licensed and license-exempt child care locations.
Legionella and drinking water
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Learn about Legionella, what the Water Bureau is doing to protect public health, and steps everyone can take to prevent Legionella growth in their plumbing systems.
Maintaining water quality with hydrant flushing
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When we need to clean inside the city’s pipes, we flush water through hydrants. It’s one way we maintain excellent water quality.
Learn more about maintaining your water heater, how to troubleshoot basic problems, and when to call a plumber.
Microplastics and drinking water
City of Portland Website
Portland is not required to test for microplastics in its drinking water. We have not tested for these and believe we are at low risk for having microplastics in Portland's drinking water.
PFAS and drinking water
External Resource
Portland’s drinking water is at low risk for PFAS, and PFAS have not been detected in drinking water from the Bull Run Watershed and the Columbia South Shore Well Field.
Precautionary boil water advisories
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The Portland Water Bureau issues precautionary boil water advisories when there is a loss of pressure in a water main. If you're affected by one of these advisories, we'll hang a notice on the doorknob of your front door. If you have received a door hanger, boil your water or use bottled water.
Have questions about your drinking water quality? Want to report discolored water, water that tastes or smells bad, water pressure that's too high or too low, or no water at the tap? Our water quality specialists can help!
We provide free lead-in-water testing for residents, childcare providers, and schools. Learn how to request a free test kit on this page.
Request a paper copy of the Drinking Water Quality report, which is also available online. Each year the Portland Water Bureau provides the Drinking Water Quality Report to all of its customers. The report contains important information about Portland's drinking water and water system.
Sign up to receive an email when drinking water tests detect Cryptosporidium.
Businesses, medical clinics, and other customers need to know when there are anticipated changes to our drinking water quality. Sign up to get an email before we change drinking water sources or make an adjustment to our treatment.
Source Water Assessment
State of Oregon Resource
This report from DEQ provides an assessment of Portland's drinking water sources, the Bull Run Watershed and Columbia South Shore Well Field.
Taste and odor changes in drinking water can be caused by a variety of factors, including your home plumbing. Learn more about taste and odor issues in drinking water and how to troubleshoot them.
If your water is discolored, the Water Bureau can help. In most cases, discolored water is temporary and should clear in a few hours or less.
Learn more about how home plumbing systems can impact your drinking water quality, and what to do when it happens.
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