The Oregon Drinking Water Program administers and enforces drinking water quality standards for public water systems in the State of Oregon, focuses resources in the areas of highest public health benefit, and promotes voluntary compliance with state and federal drinking water standards.

The program also emphasizes prevention of contamination through source water protection, provides technical assistance to water systems, and water system operator training.

In Oregon, there are 3,617 public water systems of which 893 are community water systems serving 2.5 million people. There are 343 non- transient, non-community systems (schools, factories, and commercial businesses), 1,470 transient, non-community systems (campgrounds and rest areas) and 911 state-regulated systems (small subdivisions and mobile home parks).

The Drinking Water program is increasing the number of Oregonians who are served by public water systems that meet safe drinking water standards. Over 100 communities have made improvements to meet the 1974 standards (23 contaminants), and 179 communities have improved their systems to meet the 1986 standards (77 contaminants). Improvements remain to be made by at least 146 communities under the 1986 standards. The Drinking Water program is beginning to focus on standards to be set under the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act.

What We're Doing

• Reducing or preventing contamination of public drinking water supplies
• Improving water system operation and management through training and technical assistance programs for water system operators, managers, engineers, and lab staff
• Improving adequacy, reliability, and viability of public water systems
• Increasing public knowledge, participation, and support for safe drinking water
• Conducting an efficient and effective regulatory program that implements federal Environmental Protection Agency safe drinking water standards and state drinking water regulations.