Oklahoma City, OK: Lead Above EPA Action Level - 84/100
79 ZIP codes · 19 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Oklahoma City: B.
The model grade is high, but the records on this page include findings worth reviewing.
Your top priority: match a filter's certification to the violations (58 health-based violations). NSF certified filters →
Within Oklahoma City, OK, the available records add up to an upper-tier grade; that grade describes records, not the water at a given faucet.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS
Key Facts for Oklahoma City Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 1729 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0018 mg/L.
Water Quality in Oklahoma City
We track home safety signals for 79 ZIP codes in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. EPA community-water data is directly mapped for 42 ZIP codes and 19 water systems.
31 of 42 directly mapped ZIP records with reported violation counts (74%) have recorded EPA violations - 1,729 total, including 58 health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: B (84/100)
Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule Revisions | Treatment Technique | 68 | 25 |
| Arsenic | Inorganic | 51 | 9 |
| Endrin | Organic | 42 | 19 |
| BHC-gamma (Lindane) | Organic | 42 | 19 |
| Methoxychlor | Organic | 42 | 19 |
Lead Risk
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0018 mg/L
- 2 of 42 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
- 61% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
- 15% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
- Median year built: 1975
- Most common estimated pipe material: Galvanized Steel or Copper
- Lead exposure risk score: 36/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 17%
- 18 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk
With 61% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Oklahoma City residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.
Housing Age Distribution
313,014 total housing units across 79 ZIP codes:
| Era | Units | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | 22,940 | 7% |
| 1940–1949 | 18,900 | 6% |
| 1950–1959 | 39,344 | 13% |
| 1960–1969 | 47,645 | 15% |
| 1970–1979 | 54,928 | 18% |
| 1980–1989 | 43,911 | 14% |
| 1990–1999 | 25,471 | 8% |
| 2000–2009 | 31,493 | 10% |
| 2010–2019 | 27,207 | 9% |
| 2020+ | 1,175 | 0% |
Flood Risk
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Oklahoma City:
- 1,611 flood insurance claims on record
- $21,870,908 sum of reported building, contents, and ICC payment components
- 1,140 claims with payment data
- 471 claims without reported payment fields
- $19,185 average reported component sum among claims with payment data
- Dominant rated-zone value in historical claims: D (other)
- 16 of 46 ZIP codes with claim-zone records have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims
- Claim-zone values are historical insurance records, not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory
Radon Risk
79 of 79 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 3.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 73102 | 92/100 | A | 0 |
| 73103 | 92/100 | A | 0 |
| 73104 | 92/100 | A | 0 |
| 73106 | 92/100 | A | 0 |
| 73107 | 92/100 | A | 0 |
| 73108 | 92/100 | A | 0 |
| 73109 | 92/100 | A | 0 |
| 73119 | 92/100 | A | 0 |
| 73121 | 92/100 | A | 0 |
| 73128 | 92/100 | A | 0 |
Areas Needing Attention
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 73141 | 75/100 | B | 182 |
| 73139 | 75/100 | B | 73 |
| 73131 | 75/100 | B | 69 |
| 73130 | 75/100 | B | 182 |
| 73120 | 75/100 | B | 77 |
| 73118 | 75/100 | B | 69 |
| 73116 | 75/100 | B | 69 |
| 73115 | 75/100 | B | 48 |
| 73114 | 75/100 | B | 69 |
| 73112 | 75/100 | B | 69 |
What Oklahoma City Residents Can Do
Test Your Water
- Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
- Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
- Check your ZIP code - each area in Oklahoma City has different water systems and risk levels
Filter Your Water
- NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
- NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
- Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)
Stay Informed
- Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
- Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
- Review the annual water quality report from your local utility
All ZIP Codes in Oklahoma City
- 73101
- 73102 [A]
- 73103 [A]
- 73104 [A]
- 73105 [B] - 69 violations ⚠
- 73106 [A]
- 73107 [A]
- 73108 [A]
- 73109 [A]
- 73110 [B] - 212 violations ⚠
- 73111 [B] - 69 violations ⚠
- 73112 [B] - 69 violations ⚠
- 73113
- 73114 [B] - 69 violations ⚠
- 73115 [B] - 48 violations ⚠
- 73116 [B] - 69 violations ⚠
- 73117 [A] - 11 violations ⚠
- 73118 [B] - 69 violations ⚠
- 73119 [A]
- 73120 [B] - 77 violations ⚠
- 73121 [A]
- 73122 [A] - 7 violations ⚠
- 73123
- 73124
- 73125
- 73126
- 73127 [B] - 32 violations ⚠
- 73128 [A]
- 73129 [A] - 2 violations ⚠
- 73130 [B] - 182 violations ⚠
- 73131 [B] - 69 violations ⚠
- 73132 [A] - 7 violations ⚠
- 73134 [A] - 8 violations
- 73135 [A] - 41 violations ⚠
- 73136
- 73137
- 73139 [B] - 73 violations ⚠
- 73140
- 73141 [B] - 182 violations ⚠
- 73142 [A] - 8 violations
- 73143
- 73144
- 73145 [A] - 39 violations
- 73146
- 73147
- 73148
- 73149 [B] - 59 violations ⚠
- 73150
- 73151 [A]
- 73152
- 73153
- 73154
- 73155
- 73156
- 73157
- 73159 [B] - 14 violations ⚠
- 73160 [B] - 62 violations ⚠
- 73162 [A] - 8 violations
- 73163
- 73164
- 73165 [A] - 59 violations ⚠
- 73167
- 73169 [B] - 14 violations ⚠
- 73170 [B] - 73 violations ⚠
- 73172
- 73173 [A] - 14 violations ⚠
- 73178
- 73179 [B] - 14 violations ⚠
- 73184
- 73185
- 73189
- 73190
- 73193
- 73194
- 73195
- 73196
- 73197
- 73198
- 73199
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Oklahoma City, OK?
The Home Safety Score is not a drinking-water grade. Oklahoma City has an average score of 84/100 (grade B) across 42 ZIP codes with complete current-model evidence. Separately, there are 1729 recorded EPA violations across 42 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts, 58 of which are health-based. Check the specific ZIP and serving utility before drawing a water-safety conclusion.
Does Oklahoma City have lead in the water?
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Oklahoma City is 0.0018 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. 2 of 42 ZIP codes with known action-level status are served by a system whose 90th-percentile lead result exceeded the EPA action level. About 61% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is Oklahoma City at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 1,611 flood insurance claim records in Oklahoma City ZIP codes, with an average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum of $19,185 among 1,140 claims with payment data. 471 claims lack reported payment fields and are not counted as zero. Among 46 ZIP codes with historical claim-zone values, 16 have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims. Claim records do not establish current property-level flood risk; check the FEMA map for a specific address.
Are there lead pipes in Oklahoma City homes?
61% of Oklahoma City housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 15% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Galvanized Steel or Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 17%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.
What contaminants have been found in Oklahoma City water?
The most common contaminants by violation count are Stage 2 DBP Rule, Barium, Endrin. Across 42 ZIP codes with directly mapped EPA water data, 31 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
- Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
- Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.
Oklahoma City Infrastructure Age
Median build year of 1975 means many homes predate lead paint and lead solder regulations. Consider testing if your home has original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Most homes in Oklahoma City were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Oklahoma City: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Available area-level lead records for Oklahoma City do not determine the lead level at an individual tap. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
2 ZIP codes (3% of the city's ZIP records) are served by a water system whose 90th-percentile lead result exceeds the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Oklahoma City: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Oklahoma City contains 1,611 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $19,185. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 35% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Oklahoma City, OK