Water Quality in Tulsa, OK: 98 Violations - Grade N/A

Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)

Water Quality Overview

Tulsa, Oklahoma has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 29 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 98 violations, including 53 health-based violations across 29 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.

Lead Levels

The average 90th percentile lead level across Tulsa water systems is 0.0021 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 29 ZIP records with known lead status.

With 77% of homes built before 1986, Tulsa 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 Tulsa

Tulsa is served by 13 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 435,134 people across 52 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 114 enforcement actions against water systems serving Tulsa. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.

How to Check Your Water in Tulsa

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 Tulsa Water Systems

The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Tulsa'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 Tulsa:

Violations have increased from 4 in 2021 to 19 in 2025. This trend warrants monitoring.

EPA Enforcement History

The EPA and state regulators have taken 60 enforcement actions against water systems serving Tulsa. Recent actions:

Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-03-12.

Tulsa vs. Nearby Oklahoma Cities

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

Recommended Water Filters for Tulsa

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

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

• Removes: Chlorine
• Effectiveness: 95-99%
• Cost range: $100–$600
• Certification: NSF/ANSI 42
• Recommended products:
  • Aquasana AQ-5200
  • Waterdrop Chubby Pitcher
  • Berkey Travel

Water Quality by ZIP Code in Tulsa

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

Common Questions About Tulsa Water

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

Is Tulsa water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Tulsa's 13 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.

Can I drink Tulsa tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 53 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.

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

Tulsa vs. Oklahoma Average

Understanding how Tulsa 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 Tulsa.

ZIP Codes in Tulsa

Tulsa spans 52 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 29 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.