Is there PFAS in City of Hermiston water?

Yes. EPA's final UCMR 5 results show City of Hermiston averaged 8.6 ppt of PFOS at its worst sampling point, 2.1 times the EPA limit of 4 ppt.

City of Hermiston is a public water system drawing on surface water, based in Hermiston, Oregon, serving about 20,000 people. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 11 times across 5 sampling points between Jun 2023 and Jun 2024.

Every PFAS detected

Not detected: PFHpS, PFTA, PFTrDA, NEtFOSAA, NMeFOSAA, 4:2 FTS, PFOA, PFDA, PFDoA, PFUnA, 11Cl-PF3OUdS, 9Cl-PF3ONS, PFNA, PFMPA, PFPeS, ADONA, HFPO-DA, PFBA, 6:2 FTS, 8:2 FTS, PFMBA, PFEESA, PFHpA, NFDHA.

Lithium, tested in the same program: highest 32 ppb, detected in 5 of 11 samples. EPA's health-based screening level is 10 ppb.

What the EPA limits mean here

In April 2024 EPA set enforceable limits of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, 10 ppt each for PFHxS, PFNA and GenX, and a hazard index of 1 for mixtures. Utilities were given until 2029 to comply. In May 2026 EPA proposed keeping only the PFOA and PFOS limits and moving that deadline to 2031. Until that proposal is final, the 2024 limits stand.

Compliance is judged on a running annual average at each entry point, so we show the average at this system's worst sampling point next to its single highest result. UCMR 5 results do not by themselves put a utility in or out of compliance.

What you can do at home

Two routes work for PFAS. For drinking and cooking water only, a reverse osmosis system certified to NSF/ANSI 58 with a PFOA/PFOS reduction claim is the cheapest proven option. To treat every tap and shower, a whole-house carbon system with enough contact time works, but check that the maker has PFAS test data, not just a marketing claim. See the best filters for PFAS and how PFAS removal works.

Other systems in Oregon

• Clackamas River Water - Clairmont none detected
• City of Sherwood 2 PFAS detected
• City of Central Point none detected
• Lincoln City Water District none detected
• Ashland Water Department none detected
• City of Milwaukie above an EPA limit

All 127 tested systems in Oregon

ZIP codes served

97838

As reported by the utility to EPA. Neighbouring ZIPs are often split between systems; your water bill names yours.

Cite this page

Well & Tap. "PFAS in City of Hermiston water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID OR4100372. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/oregon/city-of-hermiston/

About this data

Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID OR4100372). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.