How does the Commission make sure our water meets Safe Drinking Water standards?
Every month, Commission staff members collect and analyze hundreds of water samples from throughout the system. In fact, the Commission tests even more frequently and extensively than the Environmental Protection Agency mandates. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires water purveyors to test for nearly 100 chemicals, radiological and bacteriological contaminants but we even look for things that are not regulated. Compounds like perchlorate and MTBE — a gasoline additive — are not regulated by either the State of Oregon or the EPA, but the Commission monitors levels on an ongoing basis.
