Drinking water tracked for Salt Lake City by UT authorities posts above-average scores - the majority of systems are free from health-based exceedances and the city's grade sits above the state median.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19

Water Quality in Salt Lake City

We track water quality and home safety data for 56 ZIP codes in Salt Lake City, Utah (population ~635,938), covering 15 community water systems serving approximately 1,104,553 people region-wide.

No EPA violations have been recorded across any ZIP codes in Salt Lake City - an excellent indicator of water quality.

Average Home Safety Score: B (82/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Lead Risk

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0025 mg/L
• 65% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 17% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 1972
• Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 51/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 20%
• 18 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 65% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Salt Lake 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

249,784 total housing units across 56 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Salt Lake City:

• 331 flood insurance claims on record
• $1,376,814 total paid out
• $4,160 average claim payout
• Dominant FEMA flood zone: X (Low risk)
• 4 of 56 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 56 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

Areas Needing Attention

What Salt Lake 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 Salt Lake 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)

Test for Radon

• Salt Lake City is in a moderate-risk radon area
• Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
• If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation

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 Salt Lake City

• 84101 [B]
• 84102 [B]
• 84103 [B]
• 84104 [B]
• 84105 [B]
• 84106 [B]
• 84107 [B]
• 84108 [B]
• 84109 [B]
• 84110 [B]
• 84111 [B]
• 84112 [B]
• 84113 [B]
• 84114 [B]
• 84115 [B]
• 84116 [B]
• 84117 [B]
• 84118 [B]
• 84119 [B]
• 84120 [B]
• 84121 [B]
• 84122 [B]
• 84123 [B]
• 84124 [B]
• 84125 [B]
• 84126 [B]
• 84127 [B]
• 84128 [B]
• 84129 [B]
• 84130 [B]
• 84131 [B]
• 84132 [B]
• 84133 [B]
• 84134 [B]
• 84136 [B]
• 84138 [B]
• 84139 [B]
• 84141 [B]
• 84143 [B]
• 84144 [B]
• 84145 [B]
• 84147 [B]
• 84148 [B]
• 84150 [B]
• 84151 [B]
• 84152 [B]
• 84157 [B]
• 84158 [B]
• 84165 [B]
• 84170 [B]
• 84171 [B]
• 84180 [B]
• 84184 [B]
• 84189 [B]
• 84190 [B]
• 84199 [B]

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Salt Lake City, UT?

Salt Lake City has an average Home Safety Score of 82/100 (grade B) across 56 ZIP codes. No EPA violations have been recorded. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.

Does Salt Lake City have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across Salt Lake City is 0.0025 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 65% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Salt Lake City at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 331 flood insurance claims in Salt Lake City ZIP codes, with an average payout of $4,160. 4 of 56 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).

Are there lead pipes in Salt Lake City homes?

65% of Salt Lake City housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 17% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 20%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

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

Updated daily.

Housing Age Profile

Congress banned lead solder in residential plumbing in 1986, drawing a clear line in housing risk by era. Salt Lake City's median build year of 1972 puts most of its residential stock on the newer side of that boundary - a profile that generally correlates with lower plumbing-sourced lead exposure across the city.

1972

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Salt Lake City 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.

Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Salt Lake City

0.0025

mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

Lead risk in Salt Lake City appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Flood & Climate Risk in Salt Lake City

The NFIP claim record for Salt Lake City - 331 filed incidents - reflects genuine, recurring flood exposure rather than an isolated event or two. When a community accumulates flood claims at this volume and carries 0% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated zones, flood history starts to factor into water quality planning in ways it doesn't for lower-exposure areas. Flooding introduces specific contamination pathways - runoff overwhelming treatment facility intake, surface water infiltrating private wells, and pressure disruptions in distribution systems allowing backflow - all of which become more relevant as flood frequency increases.

331

Total FEMA Flood Claims

~17

Est. Claims/Year

Salt Lake City has a moderate flood history with 331 FEMA claims. 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.

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.