Water Advisory Information

Find answers to commonly asked questions and links to information about the water advisory for vulnerable populations that was issued June 6, 2018. If you or your family are among the vulnerable individuals affected by the advisory, you can find water distribution sites throughout Salem.

Updated water quality sample test result data and news updates will be posted online as these become available. We have also provided links to resources from our partners Oregon Health Authority and Environmental Protection Agency.

Learn more about the City of Salem watershed monitoring program.​​

Monitoring status

Algal blooms are a natural process. In the past few years, algae can be seen in Detroit Reservoir, Salem’s drinking water source, from April or May through September or October. What was different, and what caused the City to issue drinking water advisories this summer, was that we saw cyanotoxins in our water distribution system for the first time.​

​Monitoring status definitions

Clear​

Drinking water remains safe for all Salem residents and water customers. Based on our current ELISA test results from sampling of water within Detroit Reservoir, there are no detectable levels of cyanotoxins present in Salem’s drinking water source.

Monitoring

Drinking water remains safe for all Salem residents and water customers. Based on our current test results from sampling of water within Detroit Reservoir, cyanotoxins have been detected in Salem’s drinking water source, but have not been detected within the drinking water distribution system.

Detected

Drinking water remains safe for all Salem residents and water customers. Cyanotoxins have been detected within the drinking water distribution system, but these are below EPA drinking water advisory thresholds for vulnerable populations.

Advisory: Vulnerable

​Drinking water remains safe for the majority of Salem residents and water customers. The City has issued a drinking water advisory for vulnerable populations because cyanotoxins have been detected within the drinking water distribution system at levels above the EPA drinking water advisory thresholds for vulnerable populations.

Advisory: Do Not Drink​

​The City has issued a drinking water advisory for all residents and water customers because cyanotoxins have been detected within the drinking water distribution system at levels above the EPA drinking water advisory thresholds.

​Information from Oregon Health Authority

Information from the Environmental Protection Agency

​City of Salem public records

6/19/2018Water Advisory Public Records: Batch 4 - Emails and Texts (includes redactions)water-advisory-public-records-batch-4-emails-and-texts-includes-redactions.zip
6/19/2018Water Advisory Public Records: Batch 4 - Denial of Access to Public Recordswater-advisory-public-records-batch-4-denial-of-access-to-public-records.pdf
6/19/2018Water Advisory Public Records: Batch 3 - Redacted Emailswater-advisory-public-records-batch-3-redacted-emails.zip
6/19/2018Water Advisory Public Records: Batch 3 - Emailswater-advisory-public-records-batch-3-emails.zip
6/19/2018Water Advisory Public Records: Batch 3 - Denial of Access to Public Recordswater-advisory-public-records-batch-3-denial-of-access-to-public-records.pdf
6/14/2018Water Advisory Public Records: Batch 2 - Redacted Emailswater-advisory-public-records-batch-2-redacted-emails.zip
6/14/2018Water Advisory Public Records: Batch 2 - Emailswater-advisory-public-records-batch-2-emails.zip
6/14/2018Water Advisory Public Records: Batch 2 - Denial of Access to Public Recordswater-advisory-public-records-batch-2-denial-of-access-to-public-records.pdf
6/12/2018Water Advisory Public Records: Batch 1 - Redacted Emailswater-advisory-public-records-batch-1-redacted-emails.zip
6/12/2018Water Advisory Public Records: Batch 1 - Emailswater-advisory-public-records-batch-1-emails.zip
6/12/2018Water Advisory Public Records: Batch 1 - Denial of Access to Public Recordswater-advisory-public-records-batch-1-denial-of-access-to-public-records.pdf

Water distribution stations

​Free drinking water is available at multiple locations throughout Marion and Polk counties. The sites will operate around the clock until further notice, unless otherwise indicated. Please remember to bring your own clean containers when visiting the water stations.

  • AMF Firebird Lanes, 4303 Center St. NE, Salem
  • Bush’s Pasture Park, Mission St. entrance, 600 Mission St. SE, Salem
  • Chemeketa Community College, Brown Parking Lot,  4000 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem (access from 45th Avenue NE & Satter Drive NE)
  • Geer Park, 3071 State St., Salem
  • Wallace Marine Park, 200 Glen Creek Rd. NW, Salem
  • Woodmansee Park, 4629 Sunnyside Rd. SE, Salem
  • East Salem Suburban Water District, 3805 La Branch St. SE, Salem (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
  • Former Chevrolet Dealership, 5325 Denver St., Turner (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

Open full-screen version of the water distribution site map.

Water distribution sites map

The water distribution operation is a cooperative effort between Marion County, City of Salem, and the Oregon Military Department.

About Salem’s drinking water source

Learn more about the North Santiam Watershed and how the City of Salem monitors water quality. Open full-screen version of Salem Drinking Water Source map in a new window.

A Tour of Salem's Drinking Water Source

Contact us

Public Works Dispatch
Monday–Sunday
24 hours a day
Phone: