Water Quality Report · Updated October 07, 2026
SALEM PUBLIC WORKS
SALEM PUBLIC WORKS delivers tap water graded A (86/100) by TapWaterSafety.org. The utility serves approximately 199,820 residents in SALEM, Oregon using surface water. The most significant water quality concerns are: Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline; Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline; Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline. For questions, the utility can be reached at 503-588-6483.
Is SALEM tap water safe to drink?
SALEM PUBLIC WORKS delivers tap water that earns a grade of A (86/100) from TapWaterSafety.org — an excellent rating reflecting minimal contamination and full compliance with health guidelines.
The utility serves 199,820 residents in SALEM, drawing from surface water.
Public testing data identifies 4 contaminants in this water above EWG's health-based guidelines, including: Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Haloacetic acids (HAA5), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Chromium (hexavalent). For most residents, a properly certified home filter at the kitchen tap is the most cost-effective way to reduce exposure to whatever's in your water. See our filter recommendations below, matched specifically to this utility's contaminant profile.
EPA compliance record
Official U.S. EPA records for SALEM PUBLIC WORKS (system ID OR4100731) for the last 3 years. Checked 2026-10-07.
| Rule | Type | Since | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Other (e.g. public notice) | 07/01/2023 | Open |
Source: U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO), from the Safe Drinking Water Information System. See EPA's full report.
Quick actions for SALEM residents
Top concerns in this water
Based on the most recent EPA and EWG data, these are the most significant water quality issues for SALEM PUBLIC WORKS.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA9) detected at 32.7 ppb, 546x above the EWG health guideline of 0.06 ppb.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA5) detected at 20.9 ppb, 209x above the EWG health guideline of 0.1 ppb.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernTotal trihalomethanes (TTHMs) detected at 23.4 ppb, 156x above the EWG health guideline of 0.15 ppb.
Contact SALEM PUBLIC WORKS
Reach the utility directly for service issues, water quality concerns, or to request your Consumer Confidence Report.
General Contact
Treatment Plant
Recommended water filters for SALEM
Filters matched to the specific contaminants in this water supply.
Carbon filter certified for VOCs (NSF/ANSI 53)
$180-$599Activated carbon is effective for disinfection byproducts. Look for NSF/ANSI 53 VOC reduction.
Disclosure: TapWaterSafety earns a commission from purchases made through these links. This does not influence our scoring methodology or filter selection.
Score breakdown
This utility's overall score of 86/100 breaks down across five weighted components. Read the full methodology →
Contaminants detected — international standards comparison
Every contaminant detected, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal (the strictest US benchmark). Why we show multiple standards →
| Contaminant | Detected | EWG US health-based |
EPA US legal |
EU DWD Europe |
WHO global |
CA PHG strictest US |
Tested sample year |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) Disinfection byproduct |
32.7 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 546× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) Disinfection byproduct |
20.9 ppb | 0.1 | 60.0 | 60 | — | — | — | 209× over |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) Disinfection byproduct |
23.4 ppb | 0.15 | 80.0 | 100 | — | — | — | 156× over |
| Chromium (hexavalent) Heavy metal |
0.0653 ppb | 0.02 | — | — | — | — | — | 3.3× over |
| Bromate Disinfection byproduct |
0.0579 ppb | 0.1 | 10.0 | 10 | 10 | 0.1 | — | Below guideline |
| Chlorate Disinfection byproduct |
95.0 ppb | 210.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Nitrate Inorganic |
0.0614 ppm | 0.14 | 10.0 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 10 | — | Below guideline |
| Nitrate and nitrite Inorganic |
0.0507 ppm | 0.14 | 10.0 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 10 | — | Below guideline |
| Vanadium Other |
1.32 ppb | 21.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Barium Heavy metal |
0.8 ppb | 700.0 | 2000.0 | — | 1300 | 2000 | — | Below guideline |
| Strontium Radiological |
0.0228 ppb | 1500.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Chromium (total) Heavy metal |
0.15 ppb | — | 100.0 | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Fluoride Inorganic |
0.504 ppm | — | 4.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | — | — | Below guideline |
All values in the unit of the detected level. Red cells indicate the detected level exceeds that standard. Some contaminants have limits in some jurisdictions but not others (shown as —). The "Tested" column shows the year each contaminant sample was collected.
Sources: US EPA, EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, WHO Guidelines (4th ed.), California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.
SALEM PUBLIC WORKS service area
This water system serves 1 community in Marion County, Oregon. Click any city for its dedicated tap water quality page.
Find the right filter for SALEM water
Browse filter categories by water-quality concern. Each option below is NSF-certified for the matched contaminant type.