Utah Water Quality Report: 890 Violations Across 347 ZIPs
420 water systems · 347 ZIP codes · 890 violations · Updated 2026-05-31
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO Last verified: 2026-05-31
City Water Quality Map: Utah
Each circle represents a city. Size indicates population, color indicates water quality grade. Tap a circle for details.
Violation Trend
EPA violations across all water systems in Utah.
Cities with Most Violations in Utah
| # | City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandy | B | 72 | 4 | 157,847 | Details → |
| 2 | Provo | B | 54 | 5 | 117,035 | Details → |
| 3 | Ogden | B | 26 | 5 | 59,115 | Details → |
| 4 | Midway | C | 22 | 2 | 531 | Details → |
| 5 | Cedar Valley | C | 18 | 1 | 400 | Details → |
| 6 | Alton | B | 18 | 2 | 314 | Details → |
| 7 | Parowan | C | 17 | 3 | 4,352 | Details → |
| 8 | Kamas | B | 15 | 5 | 2,883 | Details → |
| 9 | Blanding | B | 13 | 2 | 3,800 | Details → |
| 10 | Tabiona | C | 13 | 2 | 785 | Details → |
Most Common Contaminants in Utah
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 217 | 103 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 78 | 68 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 70 | 49 | Yes |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 60 | 18 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 57 | 49 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 45 | 36 | No |
| Barium | Inorganic | 45 | 12 | Yes |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 35 | 30 | Yes |
| Total Organic Carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 30 | 27 | No |
| Radium-228 | Radionuclides | 20 | 13 | No |
Water Quality Overview
Utah has 420 community water systems serving approximately 3,981,847 people across 347 ZIP codes. These systems have accumulated 890 EPA violations, including 101 health-based violations.
Health-based violations account for 11% of all violations in Utah. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose direct risks to human health, as opposed to monitoring or reporting failures.
Violation Breakdown
| Violation Type | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Health-based | 101 | 11.3% |
| Monitoring/Reporting | 789 | 88.7% |
| Total | 890 | 100% |
Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeding EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). Monitoring violations indicate failures to test or report — these do not necessarily mean unsafe water, but they mean the water was not properly verified.
Cities with Most Violations
The following cities in Utah have the highest number of EPA violations:
| Rank | City | Grade | Violations | Water Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandy | B | 72 | 4 | 157,847 |
| 2 | Provo | B | 54 | 5 | 117,035 |
| 3 | Ogden | B | 26 | 5 | 59,115 |
| 4 | Midway | C | 22 | 2 | 531 |
| 5 | Cedar Valley | C | 18 | 1 | 400 |
| 6 | Alton | B | 18 | 2 | 314 |
| 7 | Parowan | C | 17 | 3 | 4,352 |
| 8 | Kamas | B | 15 | 5 | 2,883 |
| 9 | Blanding | B | 13 | 2 | 3,800 |
| 10 | Tabiona | C | 13 | 2 | 785 |
Violation counts are cumulative across all water systems serving each city. Higher counts may reflect larger systems with more monitoring requirements, not necessarily worse water quality.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded across all water systems in Utah:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 25 | 25 |
| 2022 | 20 | 20 |
| 2023 | 90 | 90 |
| 2024 | 21 | 21 |
| 2025 | 88 | 88 |
Violations have increased from 25 in 2021 to 88 in 2025. This trend warrants monitoring and may reflect expanded testing requirements rather than worsening quality.
Most Common Contaminants
The following contaminants have caused the most violations across Utah water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 217 | 103 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 78 | 68 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 70 | 49 | Yes |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 60 | 18 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 57 | 49 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 45 | 36 | No |
| Barium | Inorganic | 45 | 12 | Yes |
| Total Organic Carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 30 | 27 | No |
| Radium-228 | Radionuclides | 20 | 13 | No |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 17 | 7 | Yes |
How to Check Your Water in Utah
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup for detailed water system data including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
Request your CCR — every water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report
Get a home test — certified kits ($20-$50) or professional lab tests ($150-$400)
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can address specific contaminants found in your area
EPA Enforcement
The EPA and state regulators have taken 2,839 enforcement actions against water systems in Utah. Enforcement actions range from compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO
Updated daily.
What are EPA violations?
Health-based violations mean a contaminant was detected above the EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) — the legal limit designed to protect human health. Utah has 101 such violations across its water systems. Not all violations cause illness, but repeated exceedances increase risk, especially for children and immunocompromised individuals.
Understanding water quality grades
ZipCheckup grades water systems from A to F based on EPA violation history, contaminant levels, and system compliance. Grade A means few or no violations; Grade F indicates persistent or serious issues. Grades are calculated per ZIP code and aggregated at the city, county, and state level.
Wondering about your tap water?
Water quality varies by ZIP code. Enter yours to see contaminant data, violations, and filtration recommendations specific to your area.
Check Your ZIP Code Water Quality →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Utah?
Utah has 420 community water systems with 890 recorded EPA violations, including 101 health-based. Water quality varies by city and ZIP code — check your specific location for detailed results.
How many water violations does Utah have?
Utah has 890 total EPA violations across 347 ZIP codes. 101 are health-based violations that indicate contaminant levels potentially harmful to human health. The remainder are monitoring or reporting violations.
Which city in Utah has the worst water quality?
Sandy, UT has the most EPA violations among major cities in Utah with 72 recorded violations. Check individual ZIP codes for the most accurate picture of your local water quality.
Which city in Utah has the best water quality?
Several cities in Utah maintain excellent EPA compliance. Check individual city reports for details.
What contaminants are found in Utah drinking water?
Utah water systems are monitored for over 90 EPA-regulated contaminants including lead, copper, nitrates, disinfection byproducts, and bacteria. The most common violations vary by region — check your ZIP code for contaminant-specific data.