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Is Salem Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:47 pm, July 22, 2022
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Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in Salem?

Yes, Salem's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Salem has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page or the city's water provider website.

According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Salem's water utility, Salem Public Works, had 0 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. This assessment is based on the Salem Public Works water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.

While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.

The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.

Water Quality Report for Salem Tap Water

The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Salem tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.

Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.

EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.

There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.

We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Salem's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.

Salem Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years

Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named Salem Public Works for Salem in Oregon. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.

Is there Lead in Salem Water?

Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Salem water system, Salem Public Works, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.005 mg/L of lead in Salem water. This is 33.3% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Salem contained more lead.

While Salem water testing may have found 0.005 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.

No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.

Are there PFAS in Salem Tap Water?

Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be at least one military base - Salem Anderson Readiness Center - near Salem with suspected leaks.

With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Salem has been evaluated for yet.

Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.

What do these Violations Mean?

Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.

Health Based Violations

  1. Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
  2. Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
  3. Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.

Non-Health Based Violations

  1. Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
  2. Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
  3. Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.

SDWA Table Key

Field Description
Compliance Period Dates of the compliance period.
Status Current status of the violation.
  • Resolved - The violation has at least one resolving enforcement action. In SDWIS, this indicates that either the system has returned to compliance from the violation, the rule that was violated was no longer applicable, or no further action was needed.
  • Archived - The violation is not Resolved, but is more than five years past its compliance period end date. In keeping with the Enforcement Response Policy, the violation no longer contributes to the public water system's overall compliance status. Unresolved violations are also marked as Archived when a system ceases operations (becomes inactive).
  • Addressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and is addressed by one or more formal enforcement actions.
  • Unaddressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and has not been addressed by formal enforcement.
show details
Health-Based? Whether the violation is health based.
Category Code
The category of violation that is reported.
  • TT - Treatment Technique Violation
  • MRDL - Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
  • Other - Other Violation
  • MCL - Maximum Contaminant Level Violation
  • MR - Monitoring and Reporting
  • MON - Monitoring Violation
  • RPT - Reporting Violation
show details
Code A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table.
Contaminant Code A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation.
Rule Code Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rule
  • 121 - Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 122 - Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 123 - Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Ground Water Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 331 - Nitrates
  • 332 - Arsenic
  • 333 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 111 - Revised Total Coliform Rule
show details
Rule Group Code Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
  • 120 - Surface Water Treatment Rules
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Groundwater Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 330 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rules
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
show details
Rule Family Code Code for rule family.
  • 100 - Microbials
  • 200 - Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 300 - Chemicals
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
show details

For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.

Salem Water - Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT HAPPENED?
What started as a small, stubborn 10-acre fire in mid-August, located in the steep and rugged terrain of the Opal Creek Wilderness, expanded into one of Oregon’s largest wildfire disasters in history. On September 6th, the National Weather Service placed the region under a critical fire weather warning. The rare wind event that occurred shaped an extreme environment in which the small Beachie Creek fire was able to accelerate from an estimated 500 acres to over 130,000 acres at a rate of 2.77 acres per second overnight (U.S.F.S Information Incident System). Evacuation levels jumped directly to Level 3 immediate evacuation of the Santiam Canyon and Detroit area. Just to the east of the Beachie Creek Fire, the Lionshead Fire burned through the Warm Springs Reservation and Mount Jefferson Wilderness and merged with the Beachie Creek Fire. The Lionshead fire devastated the City of Detroit and Breitenbush community. By the time the fires were contained, the Beachie Creek Fire acreage burned 193,573 acres and the Lionshead Fire topped at 204,469 acres. Both fires destroyed roughly 1,500 structures and 700 homes in the watershed. Closures throughout the burned areas and watershed remain in place to keep the public safe from hazards like falling trees, unstable structures and ash pits that can remain hot and smolder for months after the wildfire event. Wildfires can compromise water quality during active burning, and even for years after the fire has been contained. During active burning, ash of various burned materials can settle on lakes and reservoirs
WHAT ARE THE POST-FIRE IMPACTS IN RELATION TO DRINKING WATER?
Wildfires can compromise water quality during active burning, and even for years after the fire has been contained. During active burning, ash of various burned materials can settle on lakes and reservoirs
WHAT IS THE CITY OF SALEM’S RESPONSE TO THE WILDFIRES?
All drinking water utilities strive to provide safe drinking water for their communities. The City of Salem is monitoring post-wildfire impacts and has increased its rigorous water sampling program in the watershed and in various processes of water treatment year- round in order to better understand the impacts of the wildfires. Results of these samples help manage the water treatment operations and decision to add additional treatment barriers to the drinking water process. The water treatment facility has the capability to shut the intake to Geren
HOW DO I CONTACT SALEM CUSTOMER SERVICE?
To contact customer service for the Salem water provider, Salem Public Works, please use the information below.
By Mail: 1410 20TH ST SE BLDG 2
SALEM, OR, 97302
HOW TO PAY BILL FOR SALEM PUBLIC WORKS
Already have an account?

Existing customers can login to their Salem Public Works account to pay their Salem water bill by clicking here.

Want to create a new account?

If you want to pay your Salem Public Works bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Salem water bill.

Want to pay without an account?

If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Salem water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.

HOW TO START & STOP SALEM WATER SERVICE
Starting Your Service

Moving to a new house or apartment in Salem means you will often need to put the water in your name with Salem Public Works. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.

Start Service Form

Want to create a new account?

Leaving your house or apartment in Salem means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Salem Public Works. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.

Stop Service Form

Is Salem Tap Water Safe to Drink? Tap water & safety quality

The estimated price of bottled water

$1.86 in USD (1.5-liter)

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Salem tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 12% Very Low
  • Water Pollution 18% Very Low
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 88% Very High
  • Water Quality 82% Very High

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Salem, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Related FAQS

Salem Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)

The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Salem's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.

2021 Annual

Water Quality Report

Drinking Water Quality Data from 2020

To our valued customers,

I’m pleased to present the 2021 Annual Water Quality Report for your review. The report contains essential information about your drinking water, including where it comes from, treatment techniques, and what, if any, contaminants it may contain. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates many sections of the report; however, the City of Salem prides itself in providing a more comprehensive report that is accessible to all our customers.

In 2020, the City of Salem drinking water met or surpassed every public health requirement—more than 120 drinking water standards—set by the Oregon Health Authority and the EPA.

The City of Salem continues to finish construction of a state-of- the-art ozone treatment system to remove algal toxins, known as cyanotoxins, as well as contaminants caused by wildfires. Ozone is one of the strongest disinfectants used to treat water – it is even stronger than chlorine. Ozone also makes our water crystal clear, improves the taste, and can remove odors. Once in operation

in early summer of 2021, ozone will be our robust, long-term insurance policy against cyanotoxins.

Water is the most valuable natural resource in the world today, and the City of Salem is fortunate to have an extremely high- quality, reliable, and abundant source. It’s easy to take this precious resource for granted until you learn about the troubles other areas of the United States and the world are experiencing with their water supply, and the quantity and quality of the water source. We often forget about the treatment process, hundreds of miles of water mains, pump stations, reservoirs, and dedicated staff it takes to deliver water to the average residential customer for less than a penny a gallon. As always, the City of Salem strives to deliver high- quality water to your tap, as well as provide prompt service to our valued customers.

For more information about Salem’s drinking water, please visit www.cityofsalem.net.

Respectfully,

Dwayne Barnes

Utility Operations Manager

City of Salem Public Works Department 503-588-6211

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2021 Annual

 

 

 

 

Water

Quality

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drinking

Water

 

ReportData

 

 

 

 

 

Quality

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

City of Salem Continues with Electronic Delivery of Annual Water Quality Report

1

E-MAIL

The City of Salem continues to provide the Annual Water Quality Report via electronic delivery as a favorable option for faster access and reduction in costs affiliated with printing and mailing.

If you prefer a hard copy, you can request one by calling (503) 588-6311.

The average person uses around 90 gallons of water per day, and around 32,850 gallons a year.

City of Salem 2021 Annual Water Quality Report

3

Important Information Regarding Drinking Water

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. You can also submit questions on the EPA Safe Drinking Water Act Hotline webpage.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons such as a person with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, a person who has undergone an organ transplant, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

The EPA and Centers for Disease Control guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Please Share!

If you are a manager or

owner of a business or multi-

family dwelling, please

share this report with your

employees or residents.

For additional copies, please

call the City of Salem

Public Works Dispatch at

503-588-6311

Español?

Este documento contiene información sobre su agua potable y su fuente. Si desea recibir una copia de este documento en español, llame al Despacho de Obras Públicas de la Ciudad de Salem al 503-588-6311 y solicite un informe de calidad del agua o visite nuestro sitio web www.cityofsalem.net/water.

This document contains information about your potable water and its source. If you would like to receive a copy of this document in Spanish, call the City of Salem Public Works Dispatch at 503-588-6311 and ask for a water quality report or visit our website at www.cityofsalem.net/water.

4

City of Salem 2021 Annual Water Quality Report

What the EPA Wants You to Know About Contaminants in Source Water

The sources of drinking water, both tap water and bottled water, include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and groundwater wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals, and in some cases, radioactive materials, and can pick up contaminants resulting from the presence of animals or human activity. Contaminants that may be present in any source water include:

Sediments and turbidity, including loose dirt, topsoil, minerals, sand and silt from roads and highways, excessive removal of vegetation from grazing animals, forest practices, and farming practices.

Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife.

Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, road maintenance, individual homes and businesses, and urban stormwater runoff.

Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes, petroleum processes, wood processes and mills, gas and fueling stations, and auto and mechanical shops.

Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can occur naturally in the geology, or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas productions, and mining or agriculture.

Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally- occurring or be the result of oil and gas production, and mining activities.

In order to ensure that the drinking water from your tap is safe, the EPA has regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in the water provided by public water systems. This requires monitoring for these contaminants. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.

Understanding Salem’s Source Water Assessment

The City of Salem’s Source Water Assessment was completed in 2003 with assistance from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ). In 2018, ODEQ revised an Updated Source Water Assessment to all drinking water providers in the state of Oregon. As required by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the original assessment identifies sensitive areas where the water supply may be more vulnerable to impact by potential contaminant sources. The North Santiam River is Salem’s primary source for drinking water supply. The updated assessment provides more detailed information to assist drinking water providers and their community in implementing local drinking water protection efforts. This information may assist with supporting restoration projects within the watershed.

City of Salem 2021 Annual Water Quality Report

Contaminants in

Drinking Water

The City regularly monitors activities that may impact its drinking water source, within the North Santiam River Watershed. The City works together with federal, state and local agencies, as well as groups, nonprofits and individuals to reduce these impacts to the drinking water source. Throughout the year, City employees routinely collect water samples and monitors and surveils the water quality at various locations within Salem’s drinking water distribution system, and in the watershed to assure safe and high-quality water be provided to its customers.

Salem’s original and updated Source Water Assessment reports are available on the City of Salem website at: www.cityofsalem.net/water. The reports are also available by calling Public Works Dispatch at 503-588-6311, or by emailing

  1. request to water@cityofsalem.net.

5

Salem’s Source for Drinking Water

For more than 80 years, the North Santiam River has served as the primary water supply for the City of Salem. This high-quality river source flows over 90 miles from the high ridges near Mt. Jefferson, through Detroit Reservoir and down toward the Mid-Willamette Valley where it meets with the Willamette River. The North Santiam River Watershed is an area of about 760 square miles that is surrounded primarily by state and national forest. It provides clean and pristine river water for many canyon communities along its route. Due to the river’s high-quality water, it is suitable for a more natural filtering process called Slow Sand Filtration at the Geren Island Water Treatment Facility located near Stayton. The City of Salem has been using this process since the 1930s, while making improvements to the facility and processes over time.

During normal operations, river water is diverted and follows the slow sand filtration process, then the water is disinfected by adding a regulated amount of sodium hypochlorite (liquid chlorine), fluorosilicic acid (liquid fluoride) for fluoridation, and sodium carbonate (soda ash). This treatment process adjusts the pH and minimizes

the corrosion of lead and copper from household plumbing. From the treatment facility, the water is transported to Salem, distributed throughout the city and stored within the 17 reservoir systems located around the city.

As of 2018, the City has incorporated additional treatment barriers for mitigation and removal of emerging contaminants. When enhanced treatment is needed, water is treated using the same process as described above. The City can also

use additional treatment options such as addition of powdered activated carbon, also known as PAC (contaminants in the raw water such as cyanotoxins adsorb

to the carbon and settle out of the water column), acetic acid (food source to keep the biological activity on the filters healthy), boosting of chlorine (further destruction of any cyanotoxin that has made its way past filtration), followed by chlorine reduction (to reduce chlorine levels to normal operating levels prior to customer taps).

The City of Salem is finishing construction of

  • state-of-the-art ozone treatment system to remove contaminants such as cyanotoxins. The new ozone treatment system, which is scheduled to be online during the summer of 2021, will provide an additional treatment barrier to ensuring high quality water continues to be delivered to Salem water customers.

Additionally, the City utilizes an Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) system, located underground in south Salem, to store and recover finished water. During the winter months, when flows in the river are high and there is a low demand for water by customers, treated drinking water is injected into the ASR system. The water is stored in a naturally existing groundwater aquifer located 350 feet below Woodmansee Park. During the summer months, when the river is flowing low and customer water demand is high, water is pumped back to the surface, sampled for quality and recovered from the ASR system. The recovered water is treated with calcium hypochlorite (chlorine) for disinfection and then conveyed to the distribution system, serving the south Salem water customers.

During the summer of 2021, the ASR treatment process system will be upgraded to include corrosion control and a common treatment facility where water recovered from all ASR wells will be disinfected.

Please visit the City’s Water webpage, under www.cityofsalem.net/utilities for more details about Salem’s treatment process.

6

City of Salem 2021 Annual Water Quality Report

Salem’s Water System serves a population of over 199,820 daily from the North Santiam River.

Where Does Salem’s Water

Come From?

The supply of Salem’s water begins with a raindrop or snowflake that falls on the west side of the Cascade Range, near Mt. Jefferson and Three Fingered Jack. As that droplet of water moves downhill, it flows over land, through soil and rock to the mainstem of the North Santiam River. It is stored temporarily in Detroit Reservoir until it is released through the dam gates and flows downstream towards the canyon communities. A small portion of the river is diverted, treated and distributed to the City of Salem.

￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿ ￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿

￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿

￿￿￿￿ ￿￿￿￿￿￿ ￿￿ ￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿

￿￿￿￿ ￿￿￿ ￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿￿

The total miles of water mains, from point of entry to the Salem water system to resident’s faucet, is just under 700 miles!

City of Salem 2021 Annual Water Quality Report

7

2020 Water Quality Data from Geren Island Treatment Facility, Distribution System, and Salem Water Customers

 

 

Test

Date

Unit

MCLG

MCL

Detected Level

Range

Violation

Major Sources

 

 

Tested

(MRDLG)

(MRDL)

Lowest

Highest

 

 

Inorganic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluoride

2020

ppm

4

4

Average: 0.63

0.50

0.74

NO

Erosion of natural deposits; water additive–

promotes strong teeth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper

2020

ppm

1.3

AL = 1.3

0.021

0.015

0.030

NO

Corrosion of household plumbing systems

Nitrate

2020

ppm

10

10

0.11

ND

0.11

NO

Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from

septic tanks;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

erosion of natural deposits

Nitrate-Nitrite

2020

ppm

10

10

0.11

ND

0.11

NO

Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from

septic tanks;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

erosion of natural deposits

Barium

2020

ppm

2

2

Average 0.0023

0.0021

0.0024

NO

Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from

metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper 1

2019

ppm

1.3

AL=1.3

90th Percentile:

<0.030

0.598

NO

Corrosion of household plumbing systems

0.447; Homes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

exceeding: 0

 

 

 

 

 

Lead 1

2019

ppb

0

AL =15

90th Percentile:

<0.1

20

NO

Corrosion of household plumbing systems

5.6; Homes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

exceeding: 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Microbiological

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100% of

 

 

 

 

 

Turbidity

2020

NTU

n/a

TT

samples meet

0.04

0.50

NO

Erosion and soil runoff

turbidity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

standards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average: 0.10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

no

 

 

1,440 samples

 

 

positive

 

 

Total coliform

2020

n/a

TT

None

 

of 120

NO

Naturally present in the environment

units

collected

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

samples

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

or 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Routine and repeat samples

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

are total coliform-positive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and either E. coli-positive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

or the water supplier fails

E. coli bacteria

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

no

 

to collect repeat samples

 

 

 

 

 

E. coli bacteria

2020

0

were not

None

 

None

NO

Human and animal fecal waste

units

following E. coli-positive

 

 

 

 

 

 

detected

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

routine sample or system

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

fails to analyze total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

coliform-positive repeat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

sample for E. coli

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disinfection By-

products,

By-product Precursors, and Disinfectant Residual

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haloacetic acids

2020

ppb

0

60

Locational

6.0

48

NO

By-product of drinking water disinfection

Running Annual

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average: 44

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

Locational

 

 

 

 

 

2020

ppb

0

80

Running Annual

22

57

NO

By-product of drinking water disinfection

Trihalomethanes

 

 

 

 

Average: 43

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haloacetic acids1

2017

ppb

0

60

Entry Point: 12

One

Sample

NO

By-product of drinking water disinfection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collected

 

 

Total

2020

ppb

0

80

Entry Point: 6.3

12

19

NO

By-product of drinking water disinfection

Trihalomethanes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Organic Carbon

2020

ppm

n/a

TT

Raw Water

0.86

1.0

NO

Naturally present in the environment

Annual

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average: 0.95

 

 

 

 

 

Chlorine Residual

2020

ppm

4

4

Entry Point

0.91

2.20

NO

Remaining chlorine from disinfection process

Average: 1.45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Radioactive Constituents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Certain minerals are radioactive and may

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

emit forms of radiation known as photons

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Sample

 

and beta radiation. Some people who drink

Gross Beta Particle Activity

2020

pCi/L

40

50

4.2

NO

water containing beta particle and photon

Collected

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

radioactivity in excess of the MCL over many

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

years may have an increased risk of getting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

cancer.

 

 

Organic Constituents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,4-D

2020

ppb

70

70

0.21

ND

 

0.21

NO

Runoff from herbicide used on row crops

 

 

Unregulated Constituents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sodium

2020

ppm

 

20 2

6.6

One sample

NO

Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

collected

 

 

8

City of Salem 2021 Annual Water Quality Report

2020 Water Quality Data from Aquifer Storage and Recovery Wells

Inorganic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One sample

 

Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from

Barium

2020

ppm

2

2

0.0029

NO

metal refineries;

collected

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluoride

2020

ppm

4

4

0.67

One sample

NO

Erosion of natural deposits; water additive–

collected

promotes strong teeth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disinfection By-Products, Byproduct Precursors, and Disinfectant Residual

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haloacetic acids1

2018

ppb

0

60

ND

One sample

NO

By-product of drinking water disinfection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

collected

 

 

Total Trihalomethanes1

2018

ppb

0

80

4.1

One sample

NO

By-product of drinking water disinfection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

collected

 

 

Total Organic Carbon1

2018

ppm

n/a

TT

0.33

One sample

NO

Naturally present in the environment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

collected

 

 

 

 

Organic Constituents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hexachlorocyclopentadiene

2020

ppb

0

50

0.056

One sample

NO

Discharge from chemical factories

collected

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unregulated Constituents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sodium

2020

ppm

 

20 3

5.2

One sample

NO

Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

collected

 

 

1The City of Salem is required to report any detected contaminant within the last five years. 2EPA considers 50 pCi/L to be the level of concern for beta particles.

3EPA advisory level only.

UNITS OF MEASUREMENT

Parts per Million (ppm)

One part per million is equal to one cup of food coloring in an Olympic size swimming pool.

Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU)

The standard unit of measurement used in water analysis to measure turbidity in water samples.

Parts per Billion (ppb)

One part per billion is equal to one drop of food coloring in an Olympic size swimming pool.

Picocuries per Liter (pCi/L)

One part per billion of a curie per liter of water, used to measure radiation at very low levels.

DEFINITIONS

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG)

The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)

The highest level of a contaminant allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

Treatment Technique (TT)

A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL)

The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

Action Level (AL)

The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements a water system must follow.

Geren Island is the nation’s largest slow sand filtration system.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG)

The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contamination.

9

Cyanotoxin Test Results*

Site Location

Raw Water - North

Santiam River -

Middle Intake

Finished Water

- Entry Point:

Aldersgate

 

 

 

Health

Health

 

 

Willow

Willow

 

 

 

 

 

 

OHA Lab

OHA Lab

Lake

Lake

 

 

 

 

Test

 

Advisory Level

Advisory

Advisory

Advisory

Advisory

Test

Unit

Lowest

Highest

Lab

Lab

 

Date

 

for Vulnerable

Level for All

Result

Result

Lowest

Highest

Issued?

Type

Dates

 

 

 

Population

Population

 

 

Result

Result

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Microcystin

May -

 

0.3

1.6

ND

0.1

ND

ND

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

None

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cylindrospermopsin

2020

 

0.7

3

ND

ND

ND

ND

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Microcystin

May -

 

0.3

1.6

ND

ND

ND

ND

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October

ppb

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

None

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cylindrospermopsin

2020

 

0.7

3

ND

ND

ND

ND

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Algal blooms are a natural process. Typically, algae are regularly observed in Detroit Reservoir, Salem’s drinking water source, from April or May through September or October. Algal blooms, which are large amounts of algae growth in a short time, occur when conditions – such as light, warm water and nutrients – are just right. When triggered, certain types of algal blooms known as cyanobacteria can produce cyanotoxins as a defense mechanism. The City maintains a robust watershed monitoring program that tracks and monitors harmful algal blooms and cyanotoxins – toxins produced by harmful algal blooms.

Oregon Health Authority drinking water regulations require testing of two cyanotoxins

  • Total Microcystins and Cylindrospermopsin annually from May 1 – October 31.

Notes: *The source of cyanotoxins are from a harmful algal bloom of cyanobacteria

Definitions:

Harmful Algae Bloom means a dense colony of cyanobacteria that can rapidly multiply in surface waters when environmental conditions are favorable for growth.

Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic bacteria that share some properties with algae and are found naturally in freshwater and saltwater. Some species of cyanobacteria can produce toxins, which are known to be harmful to human health above certain concentrations.

Cyanotoxins means total microcystins and cylindrospermopsin produced by cyanobacteria.

ND refers to a non-detection meaning that the analytical result is less than the reporting limit for the analytical method being used to quantify the concentration.

Consuming water containing concentrations of cyanotoxins over the health advisory level for more than ten days may result in upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, as well as liver or kidney damage. Seek medical attention if you or your family members experience illness.

If the levels reach the Oregon Health Authority Health Advisory notification threshold, the City will issue an advisory. The City will continue to provide water quality updates on its website.

All daily water quality results of data collected during the year of 2020 specific to cyanotoxins are available on the City of Salem’s website. For more detailed information on the monitoring program and the data results of cyanotoxins, please visit the City of Salem website under: www.cityofsalem.net/Pages/water-quality-test-data.aspx

10

City of Salem 2021 Annual Water Quality Report

Unregulated Contaminant

Monitoring Rule

Round 4 (UCMR4) Detected Contaminant Results

The Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UMCR) requires water providers nationwide to sample for unregulated contaminants once every five years. The EPA uses these sampling efforts to collect information about contaminants suspected to be present in drinking water, but which are currently not regulated by health-based limits under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. The UCMR4 – fourth round of UMCR, requires monitoring for 30 chemical contaminants including cyanotoxins, metals, pesticides, brominated haloacetic acid (HAA) disinfection groups, alcohols, and semivolatile organic chemicals. More information about the UMCR is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

The City of Salem began Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule – Round 4 (UCMR4) sampling in July 2018. The City completed biweekly sampling for cyanotoxins from July through October 2018. All other samples were collected quarterly in July 2018, October 2018, January 2019, and April 2019.

The table below lists only those unregulated contaminants which were detected during the 2018 and 2019 sampling events.

Detected Analyte

Date Tested

Unit

MRL1

Detected Level

 

Range

(ppb)

Lowest

 

Highest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Organic Carbon (TOC)

2018-2019

ppm

--

Average: 1.15

0.89

 

1.4

HAA5

2018-2019

ppb

--

Average: 30.97

1.3

 

51

HAABr

2018-2019

ppb

--

Average: 1.79

ND

 

3.5

HAA9

2018-2019

ppb

--

Average: 32.83

1.3

 

53

1MRL is the UCMR Minimum Reporting Level

The City of Salem has employees whose jobs are to assure that water in the distribution system meets the Safe Drinking Water Act standards by sampling at over 40 locations multiple times a month.

City of Salem 2021 Annual Water Quality Report

11

Cascade Wildfires

What happened?

What started as a small, stubborn 10-acre fire in mid-August, located in the steep and rugged terrain of the Opal Creek Wilderness, expanded into one of Oregon’s largest wildfire disasters in history.

On September 6th, the National Weather Service placed the region under a critical fire weather warning. The rare wind event that occurred shaped an extreme environment in which the small Beachie Creek fire was able to accelerate from an estimated 500 acres to over 130,000 acres at a rate of 2.77 acres per second overnight (U.S.F.S Information Incident System). Evacuation levels jumped directly to Level 3 immediate evacuation of the Santiam Canyon and Detroit area. Just to the east of the Beachie Creek Fire, the Lionshead Fire burned through the Warm Springs Reservation and Mount Jefferson Wilderness and merged with the Beachie Creek Fire. The Lionshead fire devastated the City of Detroit and Breitenbush community. By the time the fires were contained, the Beachie Creek Fire acreage burned 193,573 acres and the Lionshead Fire topped at 204,469 acres. Both fires destroyed roughly 1,500 structures and 700 homes in the watershed. Closures throughout the burned areas and watershed remain in place to keep the public safe from hazards like falling trees, unstable structures and ash pits that can remain hot and smolder for months after the wildfire event.

What are the post-fire impacts in relation to Drinking Water?

Wildfires can compromise water quality during active burning, and even for years after the fire has been contained. During active burning, ash of various burned materials can settle on lakes and reservoirs

used for drinking water supplies. Wildfires increase susceptibility of watersheds to flooding and erosion which have both short- and long-term impacts on water supplies. Destabilization of terrain may result in landslides and debris flows in areas that were heavily burned, and with loss of vegetation and can occur as far out as ten years after

a fire. Movement of soils and debris can increase turbidity in the river water which impacts filtering and treatment processes at Geren Island Treatment Facility. Rainfall events in burned areas of the watersheds are also likely to move large amounts of contaminants such as heavy metals, major ions, carbon and nutrients from landscapes, buildings and infrastructure impacted

by fires into downstream water supplies. Depending on where these landslides, debris flows and sediment-loading occur, there can be a decrease of reservoir storage, and increased maintenance costs. Thus, the potential impacts from past, current, and future wildfires on the quantity and quality of runoff are considerable, and may greatly impact water used for domestic, agricultural, and ecological water supplies.

What is the City of Salem’s response to the wildfires?

All drinking water utilities strive to provide safe drinking water for their communities. The City of Salem is monitoring post-wildfire impacts and has increased its rigorous water sampling program in the watershed and in various processes of water treatment year- round in order to better understand the impacts of the wildfires. Results of these samples help manage the water treatment operations and decision to add additional treatment barriers to the drinking water process. The water treatment facility has the capability to shut the intake to Geren

12

City of Salem 2021 Annual Water Quality Report

Island, from the river to allow the bypass of turbidity and potential contaminants. This has been a routine process for treatment operations during turbidity events prior to fires, and operators are well-versed in the process. Additional treatment barriers that remove potential contaminants include adding coagulation, flocculation and powdered activated carbon. There is also the option to add a preliminary filtering process prior to the routine filtering that occurs under normal conditions.

Additionally, the City of Salem is closely monitoring all activities occurring in the North Santiam Watershed and actively communicating with groups, organizations and agencies. City staff have also been involved with hands-on plantings of native species to landowners who have been impacted by the fires located in the Santiam Canyon. These planting events have been facilitated by the North Santiam Watershed Council, and Marion Soil and Water Conservation District who have also been rigorously assisting landowners impacted by the fires. There is a large water quality collaborative effort with agencies such as the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. EPA, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Oregon and Washington universities researchers, Marion County, Natural Resource and Conservation Service, and the North Santiam Watershed Council. All of these invested professionals provide valuable expertise to help understand the short- and long-term impacts, and ultimately restore a more resilient watershed and Santiam community.

Post Wildfire Monitoring Results - 2020

Primary Drinking Water Standards

 

 

 

EPA Standard

Detected Level

Inorganic Chemicals

 

Lowest

Highest

Barium (dissolved)

 

mg/L

2

0.0022

0.0025

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barium (total)

 

mg/L

2

0.0021

0.0024

Copper (dissolved)

 

mg/L

1.3

0.019

0.03

Copper (total)

 

mg/L

1.3

0.015

0.03

Fluoride

 

mg/L

4

0.73

Nitrate

 

mg/L

10

ND

0.11

 

Organic Chemicals

 

 

2,4-D

 

mg/L

0.07

ND

0.00021

Disinfection By-Products

 

 

Total Trihalomethanes (THMs)

 

mg/L

80

12

19

Secondary Drinking Water Standards and other Parameters

 

Alkalinity

 

mg/L

n/a

16

26

Bicarbonate Alkalinity

 

mg/L

n/a

18

31

Calcium (total)

 

mg/L

n/a

4.2

5.2

Calcium (dissolved)

 

mg/L

n/a

5

5.3

Chloride

 

mg/L

250

4.1

 

Dissolved Organic Carbon

 

mg/L

n/a

1.2

1.3

Specific Conductance

 

µmho/cm

n/a

67

71

Total Hardness

 

mg/L

250

15

18

Magnesium (total)

 

mg/L

n/a

1

1.3

Magnesium (dissolved)

 

mg/L

n/a

1.2

1.3

Orthophosphate as P

 

mg/L

n/a

0.011

0.012

Orthophosphate as PO4

 

mg/L

n/a

0.034

0.037

Silica

 

mg/L

n/a

14

 

Sodium

 

mg/L

n/a

6.6

9.3

Sulfate

 

mg/L

250

1.2

 

Strontium (total)

 

mg/L

4

0.03

0.031

Strontium (dissolved)

 

mg/L

4

0.03

0.031

Total Dissolved Solids

 

mg/L

500

46

52

Total Organic Carbon

 

mg/L

n/a

0.76

1.3

Primary Drinking Water Standards: legally enforceable standards and treatment techniques to protect public health. This data is also included in the 2020 Water Quality Table.

Secondary Drinking Water Standards: non-enforceable guidelines for contaminants that cause aesthetic or cosmetic effects.

City of Salem 2021 Annual Water Quality Report

13

2019 Lead and Copper Sampling Results

Lead and copper sampling occurred during the summer of 2019. The City is currently on reduced monitoring which requires sampling every three years. From June 1, 2019 through September 30, 2019, 77 water samples were collected from Tier 1 homes and analyzed for lead and copper. Of the 77 samples, only one sample exceeded the Action Level (AL) for lead and none of the samples exceeded the AL for copper.

The Oregon Health Authority requires that the City collect and analyze a minimum of 50 water samples from Tier 1 homes during the three month monitoring period. Assessments made in the 1990s identified 147 Tier 1 homes in Salem that met the qualifications for ongoing lead and copper sampling. Tier 1 homes, built between 1983 and 1985, are considered most at risk because of lead or lead-based plumbing components used during construction.

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant woman and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components in services lines and home plumbing. The City of Salem is responsible for providing high-quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components.

When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize your exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Free Lead Testing for Salem Water Customers

The City of Salem offers free lead testing to its water customers. If you are concerned about the levels of lead in your home and would like to request a free test, please call the Water Quality Hotline at 503-588-6323.

14

City of Salem 2021 Annual Water Quality Report

For more than 80 years, the North Santiam River, which begins near the western flank of Mt. Jefferson and flows through Detroit Reservoir, has provided a high-quality water source to the City of Salem.

City of Salem 2021 Annual Water Quality Report

15

Ozone Treatment

In 2020, the City of Salem began the process of installing a state-of-the-art ozone treatment system to remove cyanotoxins at its drinking water treatment facility. The completion of this large improvement project is set for the summer of 2021. Ozone is one of the strongest disinfectants used to treat water – it is even stronger than chlorine. Ozone also makes drinking water crystal clear, improves the taste, and can remove odors. Once the ozone facility is operational, the City will have a robust multi-step approach to destroying contaminants such as cyanotoxins. The ozone contact chamber is located downstream of the existing roughing filter. The roughing filter removes the cyanobacteria which is the primary organism that produces cyanotoxins. Any remaining cyanotoxins in the raw water will be destroyed by ozone treatment. When the ozone treatment process is done, no ozone is left in the treated water. Water will then be further treated as it moves through the slow sand filters and is chlorinated. Ozone promises to be a robust, long-term insurance policy against cyanotoxins and other emerging contaminants.

Additionally, the City of Salem is investing in a groundwater system on the Geren Island Water Treatment Plant. In 2021, the construction of a ranney groundwater collector well began and is planned to be completed in 2022. This groundwater well will provide another source of water that is protected from cyanobacteria, storm events and post-wildfires effects that impact the North Santiam River water quality. For more information on ozone, please to go the City website under: www.cityofsalem.net/Pages/ozone-treatment-coming-spring-2021.aspx

16

City of Salem 2021 Annual Water Quality Report

Ways to Conserve Water

During the summer, a high demand of water comes at a time of year when water resources are already stressed due to hotter temperatures and drier conditions. The summer water demand almost doubles when compared to the winter demand. Below are some ways you can help conserve water and learn about keeping our waterways clean:

Take the WE Pledge to Help Protect Local Waterways

You can pledge to conserve water, reduce stormwater pollution, increase recycling, reduce plastic waste, and more by taking the Clean Streams Initiative’s WE Pledge. Together WE Pledge to keep stormwater clean, streams pollution free, and be good stewards of the environment. You can take the WE Pledge by visiting www.CleanStreamsSalem.org.

City Offers Free Conservation Kits to Salem Water Customers

Retrofitting existing fixtures can help reduce the amount of water used daily and save money on your utility bill. It also leaves more water in the river for wildlife and fish. The City offers free indoor and outdoor water conservation kits to Salem water customers. To request a free water conservation kit, please call the Water Quality Hotline at 503-588-6323, or email us at water@cityofsalem.net.

Conservation Resources and Watershed Protection

Did you know that all Salem residents are eligible to receive grant funding to assist with local projects that protect or improve the health of our local watersheds? If interested, you can find more information on the City website under Community Resources – Financial Assistance & Grants. Additionally, there are many local agencies and organizations, like Marion Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), OSU Master Gardeners, Friends of Trees and the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) that host events such as native plant sales, tree-planting events, workshops and additional grants.

Free 1-inch-per-week Rain Gage

For a free one-inch-per-week rain gage, call the Water Quality Hotline at 503-588-6323, or email water@cityofsalem.net.

City of Salem 2021 Annual Water Quality Report

17

Salem Utility Customers Benefit from Emergency Utility Assistance Program

The Emergency Utility Assistance Program is dedicated to helping individuals and families facing short-term financial difficulties to pay their City of Salem single-family residential utility bills. Funding is provided by generous donations from the community and matching funds up to $10,000 annually from the City of Salem. All donated and matched funds are used exclusively for Emergency Utility Assistance. The program provides eligible customers up to $150 of assistance towards a past due bill or balance in a 12-month period.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Salem City Council approved an additional $500,000 of City funding and maximum assistance up to $500 through December 31, 2021, to assist qualified customers experiencing financial hardship.

Customers are qualified or pre-qualified by partnering agencies: The Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, and Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency. Pre-

qualified applicants include customers who participate in the City’s Utility Rate Relief Program or customers who are Salem Housing Authority clients receiving Section 8 Rental Housing Assistance or living in Salem Housing Authority units.

From January 2020 through February 2021, over $140,000 was distributed to

837 families and individuals in need. We understand customers may continue to be financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic or have other short-term emergency financial needs, making it difficult to pay utility bills. If you need help paying a past due bill or balance, assistance is still available. If you are in need of financial assistance to pay your City of Salem utility bill or would like to learn more about donating to the Emergency Utility Assistance program to help those in need in the community, please visit www.cityofsalem.net or contact Customer Services Utility Billing at 503-588-6099 for more information.

$27,014

assisted 296 local families and individuals

18

City of Salem 2021 Annual Water Quality Report

Ways to Get Involved

Salem City Council

Salem City Council is the policy-making body for Salem’s water system. The meetings are held to allow Council to conduct business, make decisions in a public forum and formulate policy. These meetings also provide an opportunity for you to give input on issues and policies under consideration by the City. The Council meets virtually on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. In December, it is the 1st and 2nd Monday

at 6:00 p.m. Feel free to call at 503-588-6255, or visit cityofsalem.net/city-council for more information.

North Santiam Watershed Council

The North Santiam Watershed Council (NSWC) is a 501(c3) nonprofit made up of local volunteers who act together to provide opportunities for stakeholders to cooperate in promoting, improving and sustaining the health and economy of the North Santiam River Watershed and its communities. This organization facilitates large and small-scale restoration projects and hosts project tours, tree plantings and river clean-ups. Each year, the NSWC receives a grant from the City to help with operational costs and tree plantings. In 2020, the City of Salem provided a grant to the NSWC for purchasing erosion control weed-free straw at no cost to landowners to assist with those impacted by the Beachie Creek and Lionshead fires in the Santiam Canyon. The NSWC hosts virtual meetings that are open to the public and are held every second Thursday of each month (except December) at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. Feel free to call 503-930-8202 if interested in participating in a meeting, or visit www.northsantiam.org for more information.

City of Salem 2021 Annual Water Quality Report

The City of Salem’s Clean Streams Initiative has many ways you can get involved to help protect local stream health right from home.

  • Join the CapitalCanine Club
    by pledging to always pick up after your pet.
  • Take the WE Pledge to reduce pollution and conserve water.
  • Create a rain garden on your property with our DIY Guide.
  • Report high water in streams via our website.
  • Report illegal dumping to PW Dispatch at 503-588-6311.

You can find all of this and more on our website: www.CleanStreamsSalem.org.

You can follow Clean Streams news, get water related information, tips on reducing pollution, and more by:

Following the City of Salem’s Facebook at Facebook.com/CityOfSalemOR

Signing up for the Clean Streams Monthly

e-Newsletter, Stream Currents, mailchi.mp/cityofsalem/cleanstreams

19

Want to learn more?

US EPA

Safe Drinking Water Hotline

1-800-426-4791

www.epa.gov

Oregon Health Authority

Drinking Water Program

971-673-0405

public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/DrinkingWater

(Salem’s ID# 00731)

City of Salem Public Works Department

City of Salem Website www.cityofsalem.net

Water Quality Hotline 503-588-6323 water@cityofsalem.net

Water Conservation Hotline 503-588-6323 water@cityofsalem.net

Water Outreach and Education Program

To arrange a classroom presentation, field trip, or community service project, call 503-588-6211

THE FEDERAL SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT requires this annual water quality report be made available to every customer to provide information regarding the quality of the community’s drinking water.

If you would like to receive a printed copy of this report, please call 5035886311.

If you have any questions or comments, please email water@cityofsalem.net or call the Water Quality Hotline at 5035886323.

1410 20TH STREET SE BLDG 2 SALEM OR 97302-1200

This booklet © 2021 City of Salem. All rights reserved.

It is the City of Salem’s policy to assure that no person shall be discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion, color, sex, marital status, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and source of income, as provided by Salem Revised Code Chapter 97. The City of Salem also fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. Special accommodations are available, upon request, for persons with disabilities or those needing sign language interpretation or languages other than English. To request accommodations or services, please call 5035886211.

Contaminants


Salem Public Works

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Oregon Health Authority, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Utility details

  • Serves: 189000
  • Data available: 2012-2017
  • Data Source: Surface water
  • Total: 13

Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines

  • Chromium (hexavalent)
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Other Detected Contaminants

  • 2%2C4-D
  • Barium
  • Chlorate
  • Fluoride
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
  • Hexachlorocyclopentadiene
  • Nitrate
  • Nitrate and nitrite
  • Radium%2C combined (-226 & -228)
  • Strontium
  • Vanadium

Reminder

Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.

Sources and Resources

Salem Tap Water

Have you ever considered what you may be putting in your body when you drink the water from your Salem, Oregon tap water? You are probably taking a shower and inhaling the chlorine vapor. If you live in an area where the treatment facility uses chlorination to kill bacteria and microbes, you absorb that chlorine into your skin. The vapors do not just evaporate, they stay in the air, and it is up to you to find a way to get rid of them. Chlorine can be absorbed through the pores of the skin and into your bloodstream. Once in your bloodstream, you will be exposed to many of the same risks as you would if you ingested chlorine through eating or drinking. Your risk factors include cancer, immune system disorders, organ damage, nerve damage, and respiratory failure. If you have any concerns about the contaminants that have made their way into your local water supply, you need to learn how to remove them from your drinking water.

There are many different ways that chlorine contaminates our water supplies, and because of this, we need to be aware of the various steps that we must take to prevent any future outbreaks. The biggest threat to your health is found in your hair and eyes, two places where a high amount of chlorine tends to accumulate. High levels of chlorine in your drinking water can cause dry and brittle hair and lead to severe eye irritation and even blindness. To keep your eyes safe, try washing them several times each day with plain water and when you apply makeup, try using water-based cosmetics only.

You can get very sick from inhaling chlorine gas, and if you are already prone to allergies, you are even more vulnerable. To protect yourself from breathing in any of the chloroform gases present in the air, you should invest in an air quality monitor and use it whenever you are inside. If you cannot afford an air quality monitor, you should invest in a multi-level air conditioning system with a humidifier. This will help to keep the levels of ozone and chloroform in your home low. By following these tips on eliminating chlorine from your tap water, you can enjoy clean drinking water free of any harmful substances for years to come.

Salem Drinking Water

Before we talk about Salem water, we need to look at why Salem’s area is known as a spa town. The hills surrounding this town are blanketed with evergreens and pine trees, and the climate is mild throughout the year, with cooler nights in the winter and warm summers in the summer. When it comes to plumbing and drainage, however, Salem is downright old-fashioned. For that matter, the townsfolk often say that they have had to deal with” Salem’s water,” which refers to the highly toxic and smelly sewer fumes that have permeated the community for more than a century. As if that weren’t enough to turn some people away, the town is also known for being among the first places in the United States to use the new water-filtering technology called reverse osmosis, which promises to eliminate any toxins from drinking water.

Even though people are used to dealing with dirt and sewage, drinking tap water in this area is anything but delicious. Some say that it tastes like rotten eggs. This may be an accurate assessment, given that the water does taste nasty and is generally full of bacteria and contaminants. However, it is not without its redeeming qualities. For one thing, it does not cost very much to buy a gallon of water at the municipal supply depots, so it is a relatively inexpensive way to get a good supply of purified water.

The city of Salem has gotten itself into a bit of a reputation for not only being dirty and smelly but also for costing people a lot of money. The price of bottled water in this city is indeed more than a decent supply of bottled water. However, it offers a lot of hope to those trying to make do with what they have. While it is true that there is some level of filtration necessary when using such products as granular carbon or multi-block filters, there is no doubt that drinking straight tap water from Salem is a great way to start.

Salem Water Treatment

Salem, Oregon water treatment station is located in the heart of Portland. It has been serving many people for many decades with excellent service. The treatment center offers great treatment solutions that are environmentally friendly and very cost-effective. As a result, it is a top-rated treatment facility to use when it comes to your home water supply. Here we take a look at one of the latest additions to the system, the carbon block treatment.

This new treatment system uses activated carbon to absorb heavy metals and chlorine from the water. This provides you with clean, fresh-tasting drinking water, and the addition of carbon gives the system the ability to treat many of the other contaminants that can be found in tap water. The carbon blocks used in this solution block out several different pollutants. The problem that you will encounter if you are still using your old filter system is that it may not effectively remove some of the contaminants you believe are hiding in your water.

By installing a new carbon block filter in your water treatment center, you will improve the taste and quality of your drinking water. Your health will also thank you for using one of these units, as you will notice a significant improvement in your skin and hair. You will no longer have to worry about the headaches that you have been dealing with daily. This new system will leave your skin looking healthy and fresh.

Salem Water Quality

Salem, Oregon, water quality commission has provided a tool that is helping the consumers to get the quality water they need. Many companies have the process of providing us with clean and healthy water, but when it comes to companies that supply the water supply to our homes, we need to make our water source healthy and pure at all times. If you want to learn more about the quality of water you are getting from your water source, you need to consult a knowledgeable person in this matter. Consulting an expert is also one way of protecting your family’s health.

The Salem, Oregon, water quality commission can help you by testing your water supply. If your water source is not meeting the standards, you need to improve it. You can use a filter system installed or use a filtration system that can purify the water. The latter is more accessible and more affordable as compared to doing the former. You will be able to see immediate changes once you start using a quality water supply system.

It’s never too late to take better care of your family’s health. We all know that the water we’re drinking nowadays is not as pure as it was in the past. Since water is one of the essential resources that we have, we cannot take chances when it comes to the quality of our water supply. Many contaminants are lurking in our water supply, such as pesticides, prescription drugs, and other harmful elements. Once you consult a quality commission, you will have the answers to all your questions, and you will also be able to find ways to make your water source safer for your entire family.

Salem Water Supply

Salem, Oregon water supply is why many towns in Oregon are experiencing a severe shortage of potable water. This is not only because of a natural disaster but because the city itself does not have enough storage capacity to meet the demands of its inhabitants. As it is, many cities in Oregon suffer from a shortage of potable water. This means that the towns’ people cannot use tap water for personal or even household purposes.

You should be aware of this because this is one step you have to take if you want to stop the suffering of your townsfolk. With an inadequate water supply, the people do not have any way of maintaining hygiene and health. People die because they cannot drink safe water. But if you do not take measures to resolve the problem now, you might find yourself facing insurmountable problems that you never thought possible. All you need is a reliable water supply system installed by a professional plumber who knows what he is doing.

When you choose an efficient water supply system to serve your home or office, it will save you a lot of money in the long run and provide clean and safe water. Water is essential as it helps in various biological activities and the growth of different plants and animals. You can choose to use an old and reliable system or install a modern device to make sure you get fresh, clean, and hygienic water every time.

Water in Salem

If you live in Salem, Oregon, and are worried about the water coming into your home, you may want to look for a company that provides bottled water in Salem, OR. Bottled water can give you peace of mind, and it gives you the ability to take care of your family without worrying about the harmful effects of tap water in your home. Drinking tap water every day can be terrible for your health because it is full of contaminants such as lead that can cause different health problems for you and your family. By choosing to buy bottled water in Salem, you can feel comfortable knowing that you are doing everything you can to ensure that you and your family are getting the safest water possible.

In addition to the many benefits that bottled water provides, it can also be a lot more affordable than regular tap water, making it an even better idea if you have a budget that you cannot afford to break. You can find water delivered right to your home whenever you want it, no matter what time of the day or night it is. The best part about these water delivery services is that they are very efficient and can get your water delivered right to your front door so that you do not have to worry about driving all across town to get it. You will also be able to find great deals when looking for bottled water in Salem, which makes it very easy for anyone to keep their water bill low when trying to save money.

If you are interested in finding out if there are any water delivery companies in your area, you can try searching online to see if any of them have a website. When you are on the website, you will see all of the products that they carry and what the price would be for each product. You can compare different types of water and see if this would be a good choice for you, or if you would instead stick with the average bottled water that you purchase every day. Make a comparison of the water you choose, and see what kind of savings you can find by getting it this way instead of buying water in bottles at the supermarket. Once you do this, you will find that you are definitely in need of some new bottled water in Salem, OR.

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