Water Health & Safety Tips

The City of Hermiston’s municipal water system is regularly tested and maintained to ensure water quality meets strict federal standards. However, there is still potential for germs to get into the water before we use it for drinking, bathing, and other daily activities.

Below are some steps from the CDC to ensure the water you use at home is as safe as possible. 

Understanding the Quality of Your Drinking Water

Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs), also known as water quality reports or drinking water quality reports, provide you with important information about the quality of your drinking water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires every community water supplier to provide a CCR to its customers.

Community water suppliers must provide CCRs to their customers by mail or online. If you don’t pay your water bill directly — for example, if you live in an apartment, condominium, or rental house where a management company pays the water bill — you may need to contact a building manager or landlord for more information. You could also check online to see if your CCR is posted.

Preventing Waterborne Germs at Home

Waterborne germs can live and grow in our pipes and in devices that use water, such as humidifiers. Some of these germs can make people sick.

Germs especially like to live and grow in water when it is stagnant (not flowing) or when it is not treated with enough water treatment chemicals, such as chlorine. It is important to know where your tap water comes from and how to safely use it for purposes other than drinking.

You can take steps to protect yourself from waterborne germs in your home:

• Flush your faucets and showerheads if you haven’t used them recently
• Clean and maintain all devices that use water
• Communicating with your water utility
• Keep private water sources safe
• Check with your building manager, owner, or landlord

Choosing Home Water Filters & Other Water Treatment Systems

Different water filters have different functions. Some can make your water taste better, while others can filter out harmful chemicals or germs. No single filter can keep every type of contaminant out of your drinking water, and not everyone needs a water filter.

The water that comes to your tap actually contains small quantities of many other substances. Some of these are beneficial, such as the appropriate amount of a disinfectant, like chlorine, that helps keep your water safe from germs and fluoride, which helps prevent tooth decay. Other substances that might be in water can be harmful, such as lead and the germ Cryptosporidium. Filters can remove both good and bad substances from your water. Depending on your circumstances, filtering your water might not be a good idea. Learn more.