Is Christmas Valley, OR Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
92.5/100
waterverge.com Christmas Valley, OR — Water Quality Report
Christmas Valley's drinking water received a grade of A (92.5 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 950 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.2 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 60 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Christmas Valley's water
Christmas Valley ranks #7 out of 213 cities in Oregon for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.
Christmas Valley 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, Christmas Valley may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Christmas Valley, OR water safe to drink?
Christmas Valley's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (92.5/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 950 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Christmas Valley
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Christmas Valley's water quality assessment. Grade: A (92.5/100).
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Contaminants: Toluene.
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 Christmas Valley's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Christmas Valley's water system has 60 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Lake 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 Christmas Valley's water come from?
Christmas Valley's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 950 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Christmas Valley residents can do
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
D1 — moderate droughtLake County is currently in D1 (moderate 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
Lake 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. | 1.2 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Christmas Valley compares by contaminant
Explore where Christmas Valley ranks among all Oregon cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Christmas Valley's water comes from
Christmas Valley'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 950 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Christmas Valley
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTMAS VALLEY DOMESTIC WS | OR4100186 | 950 | GW |
How Christmas Valley compares
Full Oregon rankings →Christmas Valley's score of 92.5/100 is above the average of 42/100 among major Oregon cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Oregon rankings →About Christmas Valley, OR
Wikipedia →Christmas Valley is an unincorporated community in Lake County, Oregon, United States. The community was named after nearby Christmas Lake, usually dry, east of the present town and the site of the former Lake post office, which ran from 1906 until 1943. Real estate development around a planned community by M. Penn Phillips, called Christmas Valley, started after World War II. The Christmas Valley post office was established in 1963 as a rural station of Silver Lake.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Christmas Valley's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Lake
Frequently asked questions
Is Christmas Valley, OR tap water safe to drink?
Christmas Valley's water quality earned a grade of A (92.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #7 out of 213 cities tested in Oregon.
What contaminants are in Christmas Valley's water?
Lead was measured at 1.2 ppb (90th percentile). 60 violations are on record.
How is Christmas Valley'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 Christmas Valley?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Christmas Valley's water come from?
Christmas Valley's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 950 residents.
What health violations has Christmas Valley's water system had?
Christmas Valley has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in February 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.
Is Christmas Valley's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Christmas Valley 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 60 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 Christmas Valley's water compare to other cities?
Christmas Valley ranks #7 out of 213 cities in Oregon (better than 97% of state cities) and #1229 out of 15744 cities nationally (92th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Christmas Valley's small water system affect quality?
Christmas Valley's system serves approximately 950 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 60 violations on record.