Orem, UT: 8 Health Violations — 81/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
How does Orem tap water hold up under EPA scrutiny? Above average for UT — documented violations are uncommon and the safety grade reflects a clean overall record.
How Orem Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Orem Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 12 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0022 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 39% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 8.92.
Who Supplies Your Water in Orem
Residential addresses in Orem, UT are served by 3 primary water providers out of 9 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Orem, Utah (population ~110,769), covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 407,176 people region-wide.
4 of 4 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 8 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Orem: B (81/100)
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
Orem water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0022 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 4 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 5 | 4 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 5 | 4 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 5 | 4 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84057 | B | 3 | 2 | Orem City Water System |
| 84058 | B | 3 | 2 | Orem City Water System |
| 84059 | B | 3 | 2 | Orem City Water System |
| 84097 | B | 3 | 2 | Orem City Water System |
All ZIP Codes in Orem
- 84057 [B] — 3 violations ⚠
- 84058 [B] — 3 violations ⚠
- 84059 [B] — 3 violations ⚠
- 84097 [B] — 3 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.
Health Outcomes in Orem
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
Top Contaminants in Orem Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Orem
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Two regulatory milestones define plumbing-era risk in residential housing: 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines, and 1986, when lead solder was banned from new copper plumbing. A median build year of 1992 places Orem in the middle zone between those thresholds — with a meaningful share of housing predating both cutoffs. The distribution shown above breaks out those eras explicitly, clarifying where concentrated risk sits across the residential inventory.
Most homes in Orem were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Orem Homeowners
In Orem, property values comfortably outpace what documented remediation typically costs — the equity share is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Orem are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,550–$3,450 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 30% above the Utah average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Orem
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.
If 39% of the Orem inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder — and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L — the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Orem
Flood exposure in Orem is meaningful by NFIP measures — 9 claims on record and 75% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. That level of activity makes flood history a relevant factor when evaluating local water quality over time.
Orem has a moderate flood history with 9 FEMA claims averaging $619 per payout. 75% 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>$2,400</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 Orem, UT