Okemah, OK: 14 Health Violations — 70/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Okemah hold a strong EPA compliance record — the city places among the better-performing areas in OK with few health-based violations on file.
How Okemah Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Okemah Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 26 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0019 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 67% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.75 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Okemah
Federal records list 4 water systems tied to Okemah, OK. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Okemah, Oklahoma, covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 5,824 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 14 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Okemah: B (70/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Okemah water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0019 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 32 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 6 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 6 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 74859 | B | 26 | 14 | Okemah Utilities Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Okemah
- 74859 [B] — 26 violations ⚠
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Okemah
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Key Contaminants Detected in Okemah
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Okemah's Housing Stock?
With 67% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in Okemah — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1974 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Okemah were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Okemah: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Given current Okemah property values, the remediation-to-equity ratio falls in the elevated tier — deliberate financial planning is a meaningful factor in how homeowners approach the documented water and safety issues on record here.
At 2.5% of home value, remediation costs in Okemah represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,800–$4,800. Home values here are 20% below the Oklahoma average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Okemah
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Okemah have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 67% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Okemah
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Okemah shows 1 claim and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.
Okemah has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,900</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Okemah, OK