Lead in Drinking Water

Oregon City has no lead service lines

Did you know that the City of Oregon City is required to sample for Lead and Copper in our water distribution system every 3 years? Lead pipe was commonly used for water services in some parts of the country, but was not used often in the Pacific Northwest. It was however, used in plumbing fixtures which can leave traces of lead in drinking water.

Service lines are the pipes that carry water from the water main in the street into your home or building. The City owns and maintains the part of the service line from the water main in the street to the water meter. The water meter is usually located in the sidewalk or at the property line. The customer owns and maintains the portion of the service line that is between the water meter and the building.

There are no lead service lines in Oregon City's service area; therefore, the City's Lead and Copper sampling sites consist of single-family homes that have copper pipes with lead solder installed between 1982-1985. Our most recent lead & copper sampling results are included in the Annual Water Quality Report and can be viewed here.

Lead & Copper Regulations Over Time

In 1985, Oregon banned the use of lead components in public water systems and then in 1986, EPA required the use of lead-free pipes, fittings, solder, and flux in all drinking water applications. However, small amounts of lead were still allowed in items labeled as lead-free. At this time, lead-free solder and flux were defined as containing less than 0.2% lead and lead-free pipes and pipe fittings were defined as containing less than 8% lead.

In 1991, EPA passed the lead and copper rule, which required water systems to start testing the drinking water for lead and copper. Those systems with high lead levels were required to make adjustments to reduce lead levels in their drinking water.

In 2011, EPA changed the definition of lead-free to be a weighted average of 0.25% calculated across the wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, and fixtures. The definition of lead-free solder and flux remained unchanged at 0.2%.

In 2021, EPA published the revised Lead and Copper Rule, which requires water suppliers to create an inventory of all service line pipe materials in the City’s service area, including the private lines between the water meter and building. Our initial inventory was completed in October 2024. All water services were determined to be non-lead based on a combination of records review, physical inspection, and/or statistical analysis. You can use this mapping tool to see what service line material we have on file for your address. The mapping tool works best on a computer but a mobile friendly version will be available soon. If you think the material we have on file is incorrect, please fill out the ‘Identify Your Service Line Form’ below so we can update our records.

Please refer to our How to Identify Pipe Material section below to help you determine what type of pipe material you have entering your house. Additional resources for identifying your service line material are included in the ‘Quick Links’ section at the bottom of this page. Once you have identified your pipe material, or if you already know your pipe material, please use this webform to submit the information to our Water Quality staff. At least one photograph of where your service line enters your house is required for verification purposes. You can also send your pipe material information and photograph via email to nolead@orcity.org.

Identify Your Service Line

Service Line Inventory Map - See what service line material we have on file for your address.
Identify Your Service Line Form - Use this form to add or correct the service line material we have on file for your address.

How Lead Gets in the Water

The water leaving the treatment plant and the water in the City's distribution system and reservoirs is almost always free of lead. However, lead is sometimes present in customer service lines (the lateral pipes connecting older homes to the water system), or in pipes and fixtures inside your home. Studies have shown that most lead in drinking water is the result of the corrosive action of water on home plumbing components. Older homes, built before 1986 are most susceptible. The water chemistry of Oregon City's water is adjusted at the treatment plant to make it less corrosive and minimize the possibility of lead dissolving into the water from pipes and fixtures in your home. Sources of lead in home plumbing and fixtures include:

Copper Pipe with Lead Solder
Faucets and fixtures
Galvanized Pipe
Lead Goose Necks and Pigtails that connect your pipes to the water meter

If you are concerned about lead in your water, there are additional steps you can take at home to reduce your exposure. Please see the ‘How to Reduce Lead in Your Drinking Water’ section below.

At this time, Oregon City does not offer free lead testing for customers. However, if you would like to pay for your own lead test we can help provide you with the resources to do so. A lead in water test typically costs between $35-50. For information regarding testing options please call or e-mail our water quality staff at 971-204-4674 or nolead@orcity.org.

Health Effects of Lead

Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney, or nervous system problems. See the EPA's website, where you can read more about the health effects of lead.

What We Do to Protect Your Water

The South Fork Water Board (SFWB) is a wholesale water provider to the cities of Oregon City and West Linn. SFWB treats water from the lower Clackamas River to produce a high-quality water for domestic and industrial purposes. The treatment process optimizes practices that manipulate alkalinity and pH levels of the finished water to reduce the potential for lead to leach within the finished water distribution system. The result is clean and safe drinking water for our customers. Find out more about South Fork Water Board at https://sfwb.org/.

How to Reduce Lead in Your Drinking Water

There are steps you can take right away to reduce the possibility of lead in your water.

Run the Tap Before Use - Lead levels are likely at their highest when water has been sitting in the pipe for several hours. Clear this water from your pipes by running the cold water for several minutes, which allows you to draw fresh water from the water main. Please remember to be water-wise and try not to waste water. You can use this water on house plants or to flush toilets.
Clean Aerators - Aerators are small attachments at the tips of faucets that regulate the flow of water. They can collect small particles of lead in their screens. It's a good idea to remove your aerators at least monthly and clean them out.
Use Cold Water for Drinking and Cooking - Always cook and prepare baby formula with cold water, because hot water dissolves lead more quickly, resulting in higher levels in water.
Change Out Old Fixtures - Plumbing regulations now stipulate that all fixtures must be manufactured lead-free. Consider installing new fixtures and/or pipes to eliminate sources of exposure.
Filter the Water - Many home water filters are effective at removing lead. If you purchase a filter, make sure it is certified for lead removal and that you maintain it properly. Find out more on filter certification.
Do Not Boil Water - Boiling water will not remove lead from the water.

Step 2 - Perform the Scratch & Magnet Test & Identify the Service Line Material

Scratch Test - Use a flathead screwdriver or a coin to perform a scratch test
Magnet Test - Use a refrigerator magnet to perform the magnet test

Each type of pipe will produce a different type of scratch, react differently to the magnet, and make a unique noise when tapped with your screwdriver or coin. Follow these instructions to help you identify your service line material:

Copper or Brass

Scratch Test - Scraped area is like a copper penny
Magnet Test - Magnet will not stick
Tap Test - Tapping sound is metallic and ringing
Threads - No threads
Copper pipes could be bluish in appearance

Galvanized Pipe

Scratch Test - Scraped area remains dull silver or gray
Magnet Test - Magnet will stick
Tap Test - Tapping sound is metallic and ringing
Threads - Has threads

Lead Pipe

Scratch Test - Scrapes easily to shiny bright silver
Magnet Test - Magnet will not stick
Tap Test - Tapping sound is dull
Threads - No threads
Bulbous where connects to pipe or shutoff

Plastic

Scratch Test - Scrape feels dull and not metallic
Magnet Test - Magnet will not stick
Tap Test - Tapping sound is dull like plastic
Threads - No threads
Could be any number of colors (white, red, blue, clear)

Step 3 - Submit Your Service Line Material

Identify Your Service Line Form

What’s the deal with galvanized pipes and why should I replace them?

Galvanized pipes, what are they?

Galvanized pipes are steel pipes that were dipped in a protective coating of zinc. The zinc coating was applied to help prevent corrosion and rust. Galvanized pipes are gray in color and have threads that allow them to be connected to other pipes and fittings. These types of pipes were commonly used for service lines and other home plumbing fixtures in the 1940-1970’s. Most galvanized pipes in the ground today are over 50 years old and have reached the end of their useful life.

Common issues with galvanized pipes

Galvanized pipes can cause a variety of water quality issues. In fact, most water quality complaints we receive are due to galvanized piping in customer homes.

• Reduced flow – Overtime galvanized pipes corrode from the inside out reducing the effective diameter of the pipe. Although the pipe may look fine on the outside, it is corroded on the inside. Rust particles buildup on the inside of the pipe restricting the flow like plaque in arteries.

• Discolored water – As galvanized pipes corrode; they can give water a reddish-brown or yellow appearance. This discoloration is most noticeable if the water has been sitting in the pipes for an extended period of time, such as overnight or when returning home in the evening. Iron is the cause of the discoloration. Although discolored water rarely causes health problems, it can be aesthetically unappealing.

• Leaks – Over time galvanized pipes corrode and eventually reach a point where the corrosion eats all the way through the sidewall of the pipe, leading to leaks.

Due to these issues and the age of most galvanized pipes, it is generally recommended that they be replaced.

Do galvanized pipes contain lead?

The zinc coating applied to galvanized pipes often contained small amounts of lead and other impurities. Although small amounts of lead may have been present in the zinc coating, it is not believed that galvanized pipes alone contribute to lead in drinking water. However, if a lead service line was ever upstream or connected to your galvanized service than lead particles could have broken free from the lead portion of the pipe and imbedded themselves into the galvanized pipe. Galvanized pipes downstream of a lead line are a known source of lead in drinking water. Lead can even continue to leach into the water even after the lead portion of the line has been replaced. Luckily, Oregon City has no records suggesting lead service lines were ever used in our service area. Additionally, lead service lines were not commonly used in the Pacific Northwest.

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