Water Quality in Salt Lake City, UT: 103 Violations - Grade N/A
16 water systems · 26 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 103 violations across 26 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Salt Lake City. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Salt Lake City
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 84107 | 56 | 0 | View report → |
| 84121 | 24 | 0 | View report → |
| 84108 | 12 | 1 | View report → |
| 84129 | 11 | 0 | View report → |
| 84102 | 6 | 0 | View report → |
| 84106 | 6 | 0 | View report → |
| 84112 | 5 | 1 | View report → |
| 84113 | 5 | 1 | View report → |
| 84115 | 5 | 0 | View report → |
| 84119 | 5 | 0 | View report → |
| 84109 | 4 | 0 | View report → |
| 84117 | 2 | 0 | View report → |
| 84118 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 84123 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 84124 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Salt Lake City, Utah has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 26 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 103 violations, including 1 health-based violation across 26 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Salt Lake City water systems is 0.0040 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 26 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 65% of homes built before 1986, Salt Lake 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 Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City is served by 16 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 635,938 people across 56 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 122 enforcement actions against water systems serving Salt Lake City. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Salt Lake City
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
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
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Salt Lake City Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Salt Lake City's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 27 | 12 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 7 | 6 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 7 | 6 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 0.015 mg/L | 5 | 5 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 4 | 4 | No |
| PFOA | PFAS | 0.000004 mg/L | 3 | 2 | No |
| PFNA | PFAS | 0.00001 mg/L | 3 | 2 | No |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 3 | 2 | No |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 3 | 2 | No |
| Bromodichloromethane | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 3 | 2 | No |
| Dibromochloromethane | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 3 | 2 | No |
| Bromoform | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 3 | 2 | No |
| Chlorodibromomethane | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 3 | 2 | No |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 3 | 2 | No |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 3 | 2 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 49 enforcement actions against water systems serving Salt Lake City. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-03-27 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2026-03-27 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-11-23 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-11-23 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-11-13 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-11-13 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-10-10 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-07-26 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-07-26 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-07-18 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-03-27.
Salt Lake City vs. Nearby Utah Cities
How Salt Lake City's water quality compares to similar cities in Utah:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | 26 | 103 | 16 | 635,938 |
| Ogden | 6 | 56 | 15 | 218,272 |
| West Jordan | 3 | 2 | 5 | 122,472 |
| Provo | 4 | 10 | 3 | 114,666 |
Recommended Water Filters for Salt Lake City
Based on contaminants detected in Salt Lake City's water supply, these filter types are recommended:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house POE)
- Removes: Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
- Effectiveness: 80-99%
- Cost range: $400–$2000
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
- Recommended products:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, under-sink or whole-house)
- Removes: Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
- Effectiveness: 60-80%
- Cost range: $100–$600
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
- Recommended products:
Ion Exchange Water Softener (POE)
- Removes: Radium 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 Salt Lake City
EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Salt Lake City's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 84107 | 56 | 0 |
| 84121 | 24 | 0 |
| 84108 | 12 | 1 |
| 84129 | 11 | 0 |
| 84102 | 6 | 0 |
| 84106 | 6 | 0 |
| 84112 | 5 | 1 |
| 84113 | 5 | 1 |
| 84115 | 5 | 0 |
| 84119 | 5 | 0 |
| 84109 | 4 | 0 |
| 84117 | 2 | 0 |
| 84118 | 1 | 0 |
| 84123 | 1 | 0 |
| 84124 | 1 | 0 |
Common Questions About Salt Lake City Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Salt Lake City, Utah:
Is Salt Lake City water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Salt Lake City's 16 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Salt Lake City tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 1 health-based violation; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Salt Lake City? Based on detected contaminants, a granular activated carbon (gac, whole-house poe) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Salt Lake City vs. Utah Average
Understanding how Salt Lake City compares to the broader Utah 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 Salt Lake City.
ZIP Codes in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City spans 56 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 26 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.