Is Burns, OR Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D+, with 64 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
50/100
waterverge.com Burns, OR — Water Quality Report
Burns's drinking water received a grade of D+ (50 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 4 water systems serve approximately 3,065 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 631 violations on record, including 19 health-based violations. 64 remain unresolved.
What to know about Burns's water
Burns ranks #128 out of 213 cities in Oregon for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
Burns relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Burns may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 121 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Burns, OR water safe to drink?
Burns's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D+ (50/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 4 water systems serve approximately 3,065 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Burns
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Burns's water quality assessment. Grade: D+ (50/100).
Contaminants: Public Notice, Revised Total Coliform Rule, Chlorine.
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule, Consumer Confidence Rule, Lead and Copper Rule.
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3228). Coastal Storm event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-184). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Burns's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Burns's water system has 631 total violations on record, including 19 health-based violations. 64 remain unresolved. 121 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Harney County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1964. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Burns's water come from?
Burns's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 4 water systems serving approximately 3,065 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Burns residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Burns's water.
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtHarney County is currently in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Harney County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1964. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Burns compares by contaminant
Explore where Burns ranks among all Oregon cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Burns's water comes from
Burns's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 3,065 people through 4 water systems.
Water systems serving Burns
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BURNS WATER DEPARTMENT | OR4100153 | 2,730 | GW |
| BURNS PAIUTE | 104101100 | 155 | GW |
| GH2O INC | OR4105730 | 120 | GW |
| HIGHLAND RANCH ESTATES | OR4101194 | 60 | GWP |
How Burns compares
Full Oregon rankings →Burns's score of 50/100 is above the average of 42/100 among major Oregon cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Oregon rankings →About Burns, OR
Wikipedia →Burns is a city in and the county seat of Harney County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. According to the 2020 census, the population was 2,730. Burns and the nearby city of Hines are home to about 60 percent of the people in the sparsely populated county, by area the largest in Oregon and the tenth largest in the United States.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Burns's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Harney
Frequently asked questions
Is Burns, OR tap water safe to drink?
Burns's water quality earned a grade of D+ (50/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #128 out of 213 cities tested in Oregon.
What contaminants are in Burns's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 631 violations are on record.
How is Burns's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Burns?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Burns's water come from?
Burns's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 4 water systems serving approximately 3,065 residents.
What health violations has Burns's water system had?
Burns has 19 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in November 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 64 violations remain unresolved.
Is Burns's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Burns uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 631 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Burns's water compare to other cities?
Burns ranks #128 out of 213 cities in Oregon (better than 40% of state cities) and #13088 out of 15744 cities nationally (17th percentile). The grade of D+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.