Water Quality in Oklahoma City, OK: 630 Violations - Grade N/A

Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)

Water Quality Overview

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 42 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.

The available EPA records report 630 violations, including 16 health-based violations across 42 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.

Lead Levels

The average 90th percentile lead level across Oklahoma City water systems is 0.0018 mg/L - within EPA limits. 2 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.

With 61% of homes built before 1986, Oklahoma City has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.

Water Systems Serving Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City is served by 19 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 695,373 people across 79 ZIP codes.

Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:

• Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
• Report results to the EPA and state regulators
• Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
• Take corrective action when violations occur

The EPA has taken 287 enforcement actions against water systems serving Oklahoma City. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.

How to Check Your Water in Oklahoma City

1. Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history

2. Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants

3. Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel

4. Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics

5. Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts

Contaminants Detected in Oklahoma City Water Systems

The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Oklahoma City's water systems:

MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.

Violation Trend Over Time

Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Oklahoma City:

Violations have decreased from 8 in 2022 to 6 in 2026, indicating improving compliance.

EPA Enforcement History

The EPA and state regulators have taken 63 enforcement actions against water systems serving Oklahoma City. Recent actions:

Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-04-10.

Oklahoma City vs. Nearby Oklahoma Cities

How Oklahoma City's water quality compares to similar cities in Oklahoma:

Recommended Water Filters for Oklahoma City

Based on contaminants detected in Oklahoma City's water supply, these filter types are recommended:

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, under-sink or whole-house)

• Removes: TOTAL HALOACETIC ACIDS (HAA5)
• Effectiveness: 60-80%
• Cost range: $100–$600
• Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
• Recommended products:
  • Aquasana AQ-5200
  • Aquasana EQ-1000 Rhino

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house POE)

• Removes: TTHM
• Effectiveness: 80-99%
• Cost range: $400–$2000
• Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
• Recommended products:
  • Aquasana AQ-5200
  • Aquasana EQ-1000 Rhino

Ion Exchange Water Softener (POE)

• Removes: COMBINED RADIUM (-226 & -228)
• Effectiveness: 90-97%
• Cost range: $500–$2500
• Certification: NSF/ANSI 44
• Recommended products:
  • Waterdrop G3P800
  • Fleck 5600SXT Softener

Water Quality by ZIP Code in Oklahoma City

EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Oklahoma City's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:

Common Questions About Oklahoma City Water

These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma:

Is Oklahoma City water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Oklahoma City's 19 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.

Can I drink Oklahoma City tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 16 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.

What is the best water filter for Oklahoma City? Based on detected contaminants, a granular activated carbon (gac, under-sink or whole-house) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.

Oklahoma City vs. Oklahoma Average

Understanding how Oklahoma City compares to the broader Oklahoma average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.

To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Oklahoma City.

ZIP Codes in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City spans 79 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 42 directly mapped ZIP codes. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.

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
• Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
• Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products

Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.