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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Matched to what EPA's records actually show for PORTLAND WATER BUREAU (grade C, 79/100) — not to what sells.
EPA SDWIS/ECHO 2026Q2 · UCMR5 (2023–2026, July 2026 release) · SYR4 six-year review 2012–2019 · Full Portland water quality report · Methodology
Carbon pitcher or faucet filter for taste (optional). PORTLAND WATER BUREAU's EPA record is clean: no health-based violations in five years, lead at 4.9 ppb at the 90th percentile, and none of 174 UCMR5 PFAS results were at or above the reporting limit. Most Portland households need nothing more than a carbon filter for chlorine taste — and a lead-certified one if the house has old plumbing.
Not on the strength of EPA's data for PORTLAND WATER BUREAU: no health-based violations in five years, lead at 4.9 ppb. A taste filter and a lead-certified cartridge for older homes are all most households need.
An NSF/ANSI 42 carbon pitcher or faucet filter for chlorine taste; add NSF/ANSI 53 lead reduction if your home predates 1986.
PORTLAND WATER BUREAU's latest Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile result was 4.89 ppb (2025-01-01 to 2025-12-31), below the 15 ppb action level. Lead enters from service lines and home plumbing, so test at the tap if your home is older.
No. None of the 174 UCMR5 PFAS results for PORTLAND WATER BUREAU (2024-02-12 to 2024-11-12) were at or above the reporting limit.
Look for: NSF/ANSI 42 (taste, chlorine) — NSF/ANSI 53 if your home predates 1986
PORTLAND WATER BUREAU's EPA record is clean: no health-based violations in five years, lead at 4.9 ppb at the 90th percentile, and none of 174 UCMR5 PFAS results were at or above the reporting limit. Most Portland households need nothing more than a carbon filter for chlorine taste — and a lead-certified one if the house has old plumbing.
| Evidence | Result | EPA limit | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile of tap samples) | 4.89 ppb (lead 90th percentile) | 15 ppb | 2025-01-01 → 2025-12-31 | EPA SDWIS/ECHO 2026Q2 |
| PFAS (UCMR5) | none detected in 174 results | 4 ppt | 2024-02-12 → 2024-11-12 | EPA UCMR5 (July 2026 release) |
Look for: Certified lab (Tap Score)
Utility data describes water leaving PORTLAND WATER BUREAU. Lead, copper and some PFAS enter between the main and your faucet, so a mail-in lab test is the only way to know what your household actually drinks — and the cheapest way to avoid buying a filter you do not need.
Rows are the contaminants EPA data actually flags for Portland. ✓ removes (when certified) · ◐ only specific certified models or media · ✗ does not remove.
| Removes | Pitcher | Under-sink carbon | Reverse osmosis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead from household plumbing (precaution) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chlorine taste and odor | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Typical cost | typically $25–$50 + filters | typically $40–$150 | typically $150–$400 |
| Install | none (renters) | under the sink, ~15 min | under sink + faucet; drain line |
| Certification to look for | NSF/ANSI 42 / 53 | NSF/ANSI 42 / 53 | NSF/ANSI 58 |
| Verified picks | ZeroWater 10-cup · Brita Elite · Waterdrop pitchers | Waterdrop TSA · Waterdrop 10UA | APEC ROES-50 · Waterdrop tankless RO |
Cost ranges are typical retail prices, not quotes. Removal marks describe the filter class when certified for that contaminant — always check the NSF/ANSI listing of the exact cartridge. Full pitcher vs under-sink vs faucet comparison →
A certified mail-in lab test shows exactly what's in your water — contaminants plus dozens of other contaminants — with EPA-grade accuracy. Know your real levels before spending on a filter.
Certified lab · results in days
Even with good water quality, a filter removes trace contaminants and improves taste.
Recommended for Your Water
No-install filter pitchers
Waterdrop pitcher collection · direct from the manufacturer
Several readings are elevated — a filter pitcher is the easiest starting point, with nothing to install.
Shop Filter Pitchers →Or a specific pick on Amazon
ZeroWater 10-Cup Pitcher
NSF 53 certified to reduce lead, chromium & dissolved solids — no install needed, the easiest place to start.
Check Price on Amazon →Not sure what filter you need?
Test your tap water first, so you filter for what's actually in it.
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Affiliate links (Amazon, Waterdrop, Tap Score): we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Recommendations are matched to EPA findings, not to commission rates.