How does Wilsonville's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Wilsonville (≈ 0–59 mg/L) is 121 mg/L softer than average.

Wilsonville Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

soft

~0–59 mg/L

Soft

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.1

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.001 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

22.4 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.08

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

soft~0–59 mg/LSoft · est.

0–60

mg/L

Soft

61–120

mg/L

Moderately Hard

121–180

mg/L

Hard

180+

mg/L

Very Hard

Appliance Damage Report

In Wilsonville, your appliances are currently losing 4% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Wilsonville	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	8.2 yrs	8.5 yrs	-4%
Washing Machine	11.5 yrs	12 yrs	-4%
Water Heater	14.4 yrs	15 yrs	-4%

Regional Water Comparison

How Wilsonville compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	Risk	Source
▶ Wilsonville, Oregon	≈ 0–59 mg/L	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Tualatin, Oregon	≈ 0–60 mg/L	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Sherwood, Oregon	≈ 0–60 mg/L	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Canby, Oregon	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Tigard, Oregon	≈ 0–60 mg/L	🟢 Soft	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Wilsonville compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Wilsonville	≈ 0–59 mg/L	🟢 None
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Wilsonville's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 22.4 mg/LpH: 7.1

The City of Wilsonville, Oregon operates a municipal water utility serving the Wilsonville area in Clackamas County. The primary water source is the Willamette River, treated at the Willamette River Water Treatment Plant, which has been in operation since April 2002. The utility is located at 29799 SW Town Center Loop E, Wilsonville, OR 97070, with customer service available at 503-570-1542 and 24/7 emergency contact at 503-655-8211. The treatment plant employs filtration and disinfection using hypochlorite and ozone to meet all federal and state drinking water standards.

Wilsonville's water supply originates from the Willamette River watershed, which drains the Cascade Range and surrounding volcanic and sedimentary terrain. The region's geology is characterized by less-mineralized soils and significant rainwater and runoff influence from coastal proximity, contributing to the soft water character typical of western Oregon. This volcanic and sedimentary setting yields low concentrations of dissolved calcium and magnesium, resulting in naturally soft water throughout the distribution system.

Wilsonville's soft water supply means minimal scaling in appliances, reduced soap scum buildup, and generally lower maintenance requirements for water-using equipment. A water softener is not necessary for this supply. Residents may notice excellent lather from soaps and detergents, and spot-free dishwashing without treatment. According to the City's 2025 Water Quality Report, Wilsonville water meets all EPA Maximum Contaminant Level Goals with a perfect quality score of 100/100. In March 2022, Oregon Health Authority's water system survey identified Wilsonville as an Outstanding Performer, with no violations reported.

Geology & Source: Willamette River source — drains Cascade Range volcanic and sedimentary formations; less-mineralized soils and coastal runoff produce soft water; treated at Willamette River Water Treatment Plant (operational since 2002)

Other Oregon Water Reports

Tualatin

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Sherwood

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Canby

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Tigard

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wilsonville's water safe to drink?

Yes. Wilsonville's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 0–59 mg/L (Soft), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Wilsonville?

Wilsonville's water is soft at ≈ 0–59 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.

How does Wilsonville compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Wilsonville (≈ 0–59 mg/L) is 121 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Wilsonville is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.