Testing for Lead and Copper in Drinking Water

The City of Bend regularly tests our drinking water for lead, lead, a toxic metal, especially in homes that might be at higher risk—like those built before 1986. That’s because older homes may still have plumbing that used lead-based solder to connect copper pipes. This type of solder was banned in 1986, so homes built before then (and not updated since) could still have lead in their water systems.

Every June, we share our Water Quality / Consumer Confidence Report. This report gives clear, certified information about what’s in your water, how we test it and what we find. It’s reviewed and approved by the Oregon Health Authority.

Lead in water is measured in parts per billion (ppb). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a standard of 15 ppb. To meet this standard, at least 90% of the homes tested must have lead levels below that number.

Examples of parts per billion (ppb):

• Equal to one drop of ink in one of the largest tanker trucks used to haul gasoline = 1 ppb.
• The width of 1 human hair in 68 miles = 1 ppb.
• 1 second per 32 years = 1 ppb.

Lead exposure is a serious health concern, especially for children and pregnant women. That’s why there are strong laws and rules in place to help protect people. In Oregon, the Health Authority keeps a close watch on known sources of lead and runs programs to raise awareness and prevent exposure.

Lead can sometimes get into drinking water naturally from the ground, but it’s more often caused by plumbing materials—like old pipes or lead-based solder used to connect copper pipes.

To learn more about lead exposure, visit:

• Oregon Health Authority
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The Lead and Copper Rule is a federal regulation that requires all public water systems—including the City of Bend—to monitor for lead and copper and comply with regulations intended to protect health and safety. The rule, aimed at reducing lead exposure in drinking water, required the City to inventory service lines (pipes that connect homes and businesses to larger water main pipes) and report findings in October 2024.

The Water Service Line Inventory Project, completed in 2024, involved inspecting both public and private water service lines to identify any that were made of lead or galvanized materials requiring replacement. Using a statistically approved sampling method, the City inspected around 370 private properties. The outcome was good news: no lead or galvanized-requiring replacement service lines were found in either public or private portions of the water distribution system. This confirmed that Bend’s infrastructure meets safety standards, reinforcing the City’s commitment to providing safe, high-quality drinking water to its residents.

For more information, Bend Water Services customers can call 541-317-3000, ext. 2 or email: waterservices@bendoregon.gov.