What is the Water System?

Salem’s water comes from the North Santiam River and is treated at the Geren Island Water Treatment Facility. The system includes:

  • Pump stations
  • Reservoirs
  • Aquifer storage and recovery
  • Groundwater sources
  • Hundreds of miles of pipelines

At the heart of the system is one of the nation’s largest slow sand filter systems, supported by ozone treatment, chlorination, fluoridation, and pH adjustment to ensure clean, safe, and great-tasting water.

Visit Salem’s Drinking Water web page for more details!

Last Updated 2007

Why update now?

Master planning best practices recommend updating plans every 5 to 10 years, and at least every 20 years. It’s been nearly 20 years since the last major update - an ideal time to ensure the system meets future needs and reflects current best practices.

Click here to view the 1994 Water System Master Plan.

The Good News

  • Salem holds senior water rights on the North Santiam River and unused rights on the Willamette River.
  • The City’s drinking water continues to exceed public health standards set by the Oregon Health Authority and EPA.
  • The City has invested in Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR), which helps store water underground for use during dry months or emergencies.

Challenges

  • Aging infrastructure that requires repair or replacement.
  • Competing priorities for the North Santiam watershed.
  • Climate change is increasing the risk of droughts, wildfires, and harmful algal blooms.

Preliminary Updates

While assessments and updates to the Water System Master Plan are still underway, preliminary results suggest that some recommendations coming out of the updated plan may include:

  • Seismic resiliency improvements to protect the system during earthquakes.
  • Exploring secondary supply sources to ensure long-term reliability.
  • Prioritizing replacement and repair of aging infrastructure to maintain high-quality service.

What You Can Do

  • Fix leaks promptly - a dripping faucet or running toilet can waste thousands of gallons per year.
  • Use water wisely - especially in summer.
  • Install water-efficient appliances like low-flow showerheads and high-efficiency toilets.