Salem Water Quality: What Oregonians Need to Know

Where Does Salem, Oregon’s Drinking Water Come From?

Salem’s drinking water comes primarily from the North Santiam River, which begins 90 miles away near Mt. Jefferson. The North Santiam flows into Detroit Lake, a reservoir, and then into the Willamette River, which flows north into the Columbia.

Salem’s water supply is diverted before it reaches the Willamette River, so it can be processed at the Geren Island Water Treatment Facility.

According to the Salem water quality report, the North Santiam Watershed supplies Turner, Suburban East Salem, Orchard Heights, and the City of Salem. City water supplies are stored in the Franzen Reservoir, in 17 system reservoirs, and in four aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) wells.

How Clean Is Salem’s Water Supply?

Salem’s drinking water comes from a surface water source, which means it’s at risk of accumulating nitrate, pesticides, and inorganic contaminants from agricultural runoff, sewage discharges, and other sources. Still, the City points out that it’s fortunate to have “an extremely high-quality, reliable, and abundant [water] source.”

In 2018, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) released a source water assessment identifying areas at high susceptibility for contamination. Since 80% of the watershed is managed by agencies like the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Salem’s water sources are better-protected than most.

The City monitors for algae, cyanotoxins, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and other contaminants on a regular basis. Residents can call the water utility’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 to learn more.

How Does Salem, OR Protect Its Water Sources?

Salem, OR, has a detailed Water Management and Conservation Plan outlining how it will ensure safe drinking water supplies for the foreseeable future. One issue is that as the population grows, the city will need to “find a second reliable water source without damaging the environment and creating huge costs to the rate payer.”

The plan includes an Aquifer Storage and Recovery System (ASR), which will store treated water in an aquifer below the South Salem Hills. The city can draw from this underground reservoir in the summer, when less surface water is available.

It’s also in the process of installing a new groundwater well at the Geren Island Water Treatment Plant, where the water will be “protected from cyanobacteria, storm events and post-wildfires effects that impact the North Santiam River water quality.”

How Is Salem’s Drinking Water Treated?

The City of Salem uses a state-of-the-art ozone treatment system as part of its filtration process. After leaving the Detroit Lake reservoir via the Detroit Dam and Big Cliff Dam, ozone is injected into the water to reduce sediment and kill cyanobacteria.

Then, the water flows through a series of filters including sand, gravel, and a biological layer to remove additional contaminants and reduce turbidity.

After that, the water is treated with:

• Sodium hypochlorite as a disinfectant
• Fluorosilicic acid to reduce tooth decay
• Sodium carbonate to reduce lead and copper corrosion

In addition to treating drinking water, the City of Salem treats wastewater at the Willow Lake Wastewater Pollution Control Facility to reduce the risk of sewage overflows.

How Is Salem Water Quality Tested?

Salem’s water quality is tested throughout the year to comply with the Oregon Health Authority’s guidelines and the EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). The City collects “at least 120 bacteriological samples per month,” and tests for cyanotoxins between May 1-October 31 due to algal blooms in the Detroit Reservoir.

The City will post a water quality advisory if cyanotoxins exceed safe levels. Salem can adjust its water treatment process to reduce contaminant levels by adding powdered activated carbon (PAC), acetic acid, and chlorine residual as necessary.

Which Contaminants Are Found in Salem’s Tap Water?

Salem water quality meets the EPA’s guidelines, but it contains disinfection byproducts and other water contaminants that may have health effects when consumed over time. Here are five contaminants to look out for in your water quality report:

Chromium-6 (hexavalent)

Chromium-6 is a chemical associated with serious public health concerns, as brought to light by Erin Brockovich in Hinkley, California. Although Salem’s water quality meets the EPA’s guidelines for total chromium, there’s no legal limit for this form of chromium.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit, recommends an upper limit of 0.02 parts per billion (ppb), which Salem’s tap water exceeds by 3.3 times:

• EPA maximum allowance: No legal limit
• EWG recommended maximum: 0.02 ppb
• Salem maximum contaminant level: 0.0653 ppb

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

Haloacetic acids (HAA5) are a group of disinfection byproducts that are formed during the water treatment process and persist in the water supply. Salem’s tap water meets the legal limit of 60 ppb, but it exceeds the EWG’s recommendation by 340 times:

• EPA maximum allowance: 60 ppb
• EWG recommended maximum: 0.1 ppb
• Salem maximum contaminant level: 34.0 ppb

Haloacetic acids (HAA9)

In addition to the HAA5 group, there are four more acids that when measured together form the group HAA9. There’s no legal limit for HAA9, but the EWG considers 0.06 ppb to be a safe upper limit for human health. Salem’s HAA9 levels are 546 times higher:

• EPA maximum allowance: No legal limit
• EWG recommended maximum: 0.06 ppb
• Salem maximum contaminant level: 32.7 ppb

Radium

Radioactive elements are some of the most dangerous water contaminants because they can cause health effects even in small quantities. The legal limit for radium is 5 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Salem’s tap water meets this limit, but is higher than the EWG’s more cautious recommendation of 0.05 pCi/L:

• EPA maximum allowance: 5 pCi/L
• EWG recommended maximum: 0.05 pCi/L
• Salem maximum detected level: 0.09 pCi/L

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

The amount of total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) in tap water can also contribute to health problems, including some types of cancer, in high doses. Salem’s tap water meets the legal limit for TTHMs, but exceeds the EWG’s recommendation by 239 times:

• EPA maximum allowance: 80 ppb
• EWG recommended maximum: 0.15 ppb
• Salem maximum contaminant level: 35.9 ppb

Can Water Filters Improve Salem Water Quality?

Home water filters can improve water quality by removing contaminants before it comes out of your tap. A whole home water filtration system filters all of the water entering your home, while others focus on a specific outlet, such as your sink or refrigerator.

For best results, test your tap water or check your local water quality report to find out what’s in your drinking water. Then, choose a water filter with an NSF/ANSI rating for the specific type of contaminants you want to remove.

For example, activated carbon filters are great at removing disinfection byproducts and improving the taste and smell of your water. If you’re more concerned about radium or chromium-6, consider a reverse osmosis system to reduce your exposure.

Does Salem’s Tap Water Contain Lead?

According to the City of Salem’s website, Salem’s drinking water is lead-free when it enters the distribution system and “there are no known publicly owned lead service lines in Salem.” However, there is “less information about the service lines on your property that carry drinking water into your home.”

This means that some houses, especially homes built before 1986, could have lead pipes, service lines, or plumbing fixtures. In 2024, a plumbing company hired by the City inventoried 400 homes at random and did not find any lead services lines.

If you’re worried about lead in your tap water, you can call the Water Quality Hotline at 503-588-6323 or send an email to water@cityofsalem.net to get a free lead test.

In the meantime, you can temporarily switch to bottled water, drink and cook with cold tap water, or install a water filter that’s certified to remove lead.

Does Salem’s Tap Water Contain Fluoride?

Yes, Salem’s tap water contains fluoride as a public health measure to prevent tooth decay. According to the Oregon Health Authority, “Oregon has the third lowest amount of fluoridation in community water systems nationwide,” which makes Salem an outlier compared to other cities in Oregon, including Eugene and Portland.

The most recent Salem water quality report displays average fluoride levels of 0.62 parts per million (ppm), which is below the EPA’s legal limit of 4 ppm.

Is Salem’s Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Salem’s tap water is safe to drink according to the standards of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Oregon Health Authority. However, some residents may be concerned about high levels of disinfection byproducts and other water contaminants. Using a water filter can reduce your exposure and improve the taste of your water.

You can install a water filter in your refrigerator, under the sink, or for your entire home. Some types of filters are more effective than others at removing specific contaminants. Take our water filter quiz to learn about your options and get 20% off your first order!