Is Joseph, OR Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B, with 8 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
78/100
waterverge.com Joseph, OR — Water Quality Report
Joseph's drinking water received a grade of B (78 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,182 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 3.7 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 72 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 8 remain unresolved.
What to know about Joseph's water
Joseph ranks #60 out of 213 cities in Oregon for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
As a small community water system, Joseph may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 6 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Joseph, OR water safe to drink?
Joseph's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (78/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,182 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Joseph
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Joseph's water quality assessment. Grade: B (78/100).
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule, Surface Water Treatment Rule.
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4519). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3228). Coastal Storm event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Joseph's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Joseph's water system has 72 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 8 remain unresolved. 6 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Wallowa County has experienced 5 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. Local water sources include East Fork Wallowa River.
Where does Joseph's water come from?
Joseph's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,182 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include East Fork Wallowa River (river).
What Joseph residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Joseph'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.
Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.
Joseph's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
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 droughtWallowa 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
Wallowa County has experienced 5 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. | 3.7 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Joseph compares by contaminant
Explore where Joseph ranks among all Oregon cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Joseph's water comes from
Joseph's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,182 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Joseph
Joseph is located near 1 notable water body. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Joseph
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOSEPH, CITY OF | OR4100414 | 1,182 | SW |
How Joseph compares
Full Oregon rankings →Joseph's score of 78/100 is above the average of 42/100 among major Oregon cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Oregon rankings →About Joseph, OR
Wikipedia →Joseph is a city in Wallowa County, Oregon, United States. Originally named Silver Lake and Lake City, the city formally named itself in 1880 for Chief Joseph (1840–1904) of the Nez Perce people. As of the 2020 census, Joseph had a population of 1,154.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Joseph's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Wallowa
Frequently asked questions
Is Joseph, OR tap water safe to drink?
Joseph's water quality earned a grade of B (78/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #60 out of 213 cities tested in Oregon.
What contaminants are in Joseph's water?
Lead was measured at 3.7 ppb (90th percentile). 72 violations are on record.
How is Joseph'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 Joseph?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Joseph's water come from?
Joseph's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,182 residents.
What health violations has Joseph's water system had?
Joseph has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 8 violations remain unresolved.
How does Joseph's water compare to other cities?
Joseph ranks #60 out of 213 cities in Oregon (better than 72% of state cities) and #8825 out of 15744 cities nationally (44th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Joseph's small water system affect quality?
Joseph's system serves approximately 1,182 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 72 violations on record.