Water Quality in Salt Lake City, UT: No Violations — Grade B
Grade B · Score 82/100 · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-05-03
Salt Lake City's water is mostly safe. Minor violations exist but are primarily monitoring-related.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-05-03
Across all available EPA tracking data for Salt Lake City, UT, the record has remained clean — 5 public water systems on file, zero violations recorded, and no enforcement proceedings initiated at any point in the federal dataset.
Water Quality Map: Salt Lake City, UT
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Salt Lake City
Water quality varies across Salt Lake City's 56 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84107 | B | 73 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 84116 | B | 73 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 84104 | B | 78 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 84105 | B | 78 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 84106 | B | 78 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 84108 | B | 78 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 84111 | B | 78 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 84117 | B | 78 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 84121 | B | 78 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 84123 | B | 78 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 84101 | B | 83 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 84102 | B | 83 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 84103 | B | 83 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 84109 | B | 83 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 84110 | B | 83 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Salt Lake City, Utah receives a water quality grade of B with an overall score of 82 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
No EPA violations have been recorded for the 5 water systems serving Salt Lake City. This is a positive indicator, though it does not guarantee the absence of all contaminants — some substances (like PFAS) are not yet fully regulated.
What Grade B Means
A grade of B indicates good compliance with EPA drinking water standards. While not perfect, Salt Lake City's water systems meet the vast majority of federal requirements. Minor violations may exist but typically relate to monitoring or reporting rather than health-based standards.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Salt Lake City water systems is 0.0025 mg/L — within EPA limits. No ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.
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.
Radon Risk
Salt Lake City is in EPA Radon Zone 2 (Moderate risk). Testing is recommended, especially for homes with basements or ground-level living spaces.
Water Systems Serving Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City is served by 5 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 536,557 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 280 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, violation history, and safety scores
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
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 5 enforcement actions against water systems serving Salt Lake City. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2025-09-08 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-09-08 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2021-07-22 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2021-07-22 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2021-07-21 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2025-09-08.
Salt Lake City vs. Nearby Utah Cities
How Salt Lake City's water quality compares to similar cities in Utah:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | B | 0 | 5 | 536,557 |
| West Jordan | B | 3 | 3 | 255,083 |
| Sandy | B | 72 | 4 | 157,847 |
| Orem | C | 12 | 5 | 150,434 |
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
Water quality varies across Salt Lake City's ZIP codes. The table below shows the worst-scoring and best-scoring areas:
| ZIP Code | Score | Grade | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84107 | 73 | B | 0 | 0 |
| 84116 | 73 | B | 0 | 0 |
| 84104 | 78 | B | 0 | 0 |
| 84105 | 78 | B | 0 | 0 |
| 84106 | 78 | B | 0 | 0 |
| 84108 | 78 | B | 0 | 0 |
| 84111 | 78 | B | 0 | 0 |
| 84117 | 78 | B | 0 | 0 |
| 84121 | 78 | B | 0 | 0 |
| 84123 | 78 | B | 0 | 0 |
| 84199 | 83 | B | 0 | 0 |
| 84190 | 83 | B | 0 | 0 |
| 84189 | 83 | B | 0 | 0 |
| 84184 | 83 | B | 0 | 0 |
| 84180 | 83 | B | 0 | 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 5 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Salt Lake City tap water? Salt Lake City's water receives a grade of B (82/100). No health-based violations have been recorded, but home testing is always recommended.
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. Each ZIP code has its own water quality profile based on the specific water system serving that area. 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
Updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Water is Safe — Here's How to Keep It That Way
Grade B is excellent news. Here's what proactive homeowners do to maintain water quality:
Annual Water Testing
EPA recommends annual testing even with clean water. Home test kits: $20-$50. Catches changes before they become problems.
Maintenance Filtration
A basic carbon filter removes chlorine taste and catches emerging contaminants like PFAS that aren't yet fully regulated.
Plumbing Check
Even safe city water picks up lead from home pipes. If your home was built before 1986, a one-time pipe inspection is recommended.