Hardness
Soft
28.8 PPM · 1.7 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Portland, OR 97236
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Multnomah County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Portland Water Bureau
- Source water
- Surface water
- County
- Multnomah County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
1 active health-based record
Lead 90th percentile
0.0049 mg/L
33% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 666,200 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
28.8 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
28.8
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
1.7
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 28.8 PPM, mineral scale can build up on fixtures and heating elements, reduce soap lather, and leave visible spotting. Hardness is primarily an aesthetic and appliance concern—not itself a tap-water safety rating.
USGS sites used
21
Nearest site
7.8 mi
Observation range
Jan 5, 2016–May 19, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: CLACKAMAS RIVER NEAR GLADSTONE, OR (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 97236 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Portland median
29 PPM
About the same29 indexed ZIP readings · Range 28.8–29.2 PPM
Oregon median
29 PPM
About the same56 indexed ZIP readings · Range 15.7–78.9 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Contaminant snapshot
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
1 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
0.0049 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
Copper (CU90)
1.8 mg/L
Reported Jun 30, 1992
Numerical coverage
2 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.0049
EPA limit 0.015
Copper (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 1.8
EPA limit 1.3
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 2
- Health-based
- 1
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | OR4100657 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2022through Jul 31, 2022 |
| Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment RuleHealth-based | OR4100657 | Unaddressed | Dec 18, 2017 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to Portland ZIP 97236 using 28.8 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Copper (90th percentile), Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule have a measured benchmark flag or active health-based SDWIS record in this profile.
A certified multi-stage RO system targets a broader range of dissolved contaminants at the kitchen tap.
Explore under-sink filtrationAffiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no added cost to you. Product matching is educational and does not replace certified water testing.
Nearby indexed reports
Compare ZIPs in Portland
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Portland
Is tap water safe in Portland?+
EPA ECHO reports 1 active health-based violation among the associated community water systems. Review the affected utility's current notice and Consumer Confidence Report.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 28.8 PPM, or 1.7 grains per gallon, classified as soft. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
There is no high-hardness trigger in this profile. Confirm with a tap test before buying equipment.