Is Salem tap water safe to drink?

Yes with good quality

Salem's tap water meets all EPA standards and scores well on our analysis. It is generally safe to drink though filtration can improve taste and provide extra precaution.

85/100
Purity Score
1
Issues Found
0.9 GPG
Hardness
Not detected
PFAS

1 Issue Detected in Salem

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.1 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Salem
Oregon

973,019,730,297,303 · North Santiam River

Salem, OR: Water Quality and Filter Guide

Low Risk Updated March 2026 177,000 residents
See Best Filters for Salem
85
Purity Score

Water quality in Salem, Oregon is evaluated here using public utility data and independent testing. The report includes a purity score, contaminant breakdown, and tailored filter recommendations.

Contaminant Levels

PFAS
ND
Lead
1 ppb
Nitrate
0.3 mg/L
Arsenic
0.1 mg/L
Hardness
0.9 gpg

Health Insights

  • 1
    Salem's water meets current EPA standards. Filtration can improve taste and provide extra safety.

Score

85 /100
Excellent
"Good" threshold (70)

Salem tap water is sourced from North Santiam River and treated by City of Salem Public Works. Overall purity score: 85/100 (Excellent). Updated for 2026.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Salem's 1 issue.

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Explore Salem Water Data

PFAS Levels in SalemPFAS testing data
Salem Lead LevelsLead testing data
Water Hardness in SalemHardness levels
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Salem Water FAQ

Is Salem OR tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Salem tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 85/100 (Excellent) on PurityMap for 2026. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.
Does Salem OR use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Salem uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 0.8 ppm. Chloramine is harder to remove than free chlorine and requires a catalytic carbon or reverse osmosis filter. Standard Brita-style pitchers will NOT remove chloramine.
How hard is Salem OR water and what is the TDS level?
Salem water hardness is 0.9 grains per gallon (soft) with a TDS of 22 ppm (excellent). This level is unlikely to cause significant scale buildup in household plumbing.
Has PFAS been found in Salem OR drinking water?
Based on available EPA UCMR5 monitoring data as of 2026 PFAS have not been detected above EPA advisory levels in Salem drinking water.
What is the best water filter for Salem?
Based on Salem's water profile, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher. Salem water scores well overall. A pitcher filter provides extra precaution and improves taste for drinking and cooking.

Nearby Reports

PortlandOregon — 85/100EugeneOregon — 85/100GreshamOregon — 85/100HillsboroOregon — 85/100BendOregon — 85/100MedfordOregon — 85/100

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • City of Salem Public Works CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

© 2026 PurityMap. For informational purposes only.

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