At approximately 7:00 pm on January 10, 2026, a Portland General Electric (PGE) power outage in the S4 water pressure zone in South Salem caused a temporary loss of water pressure when a safety device at the Davis Road Water Pump Station shut down the pumps. Potentially harmful bacteria could be present in the water supply. If these bacteria are present, they could make you sick, and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems. The affected area is limited and can be found in the attached map.
Do not drink the water without boiling it first.
Customers should bring water to a rolling boil for 1 full minute, allow the water to cool before using, and store the cooled water in a clean container with a cover. Customers should use boiled water that has cooled or bottled water for:
- Drinking
- Brushing teeth
- Washing fruits and vegetables
- Preparing food and baby formula
- Making ice
- Cleaning food contact surfaces
Water Distribution staff will be flushing water mains in the affected area and collecting bacteriological samples. We will inform you when tests show no bacteria are present and you no longer need to boil your water. We should have the bacteriological results by early Monday, January 12, 2026.
This boil water advisory is a precaution. To limit risk to health, customers should follow the instructions contained in this advisory.
For more information, go to or contact Lacey Goeres-Priest, Water Quality Supervisor at Salem Public Works, 503-932-6270 or LGoeres@cityofsalem.net. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by contaminants in drinking water are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or the Oregon Health Authority, Drinking Water Services at 971-673-0405.
