Health Violations Found OK 14 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Okemah Utilities Authority

EPA ID: OK1020706 · 3,113 people served · 2 ZIP codes

In the current EPA monitoring period, Okemah Utilities Authority has 8 violations still listed as unresolved, with the utility supplying water to approximately 3,113 residents.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

B · 70
Avg Safety Score
3,113
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
26
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.00192 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 3
Radon Risk · Low
6
Contaminants Flagged
$118K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 3 (2021) to 8 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Okemah Utilities Authority Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$52,974
Median Household Income
6,363
Service Area Population
100%
Disadvantaged Population
90th
Poverty Percentile
90th
Energy Burden Percentile
63%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Okemah Utilities Authority serves a community with a median household income of $52,974 and an estimated 6,363 residents across its service area. Approximately 63% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 100% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

Okemah Utilities Authority's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
20th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
20th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 4% of homes in Okfuskee County, Oklahoma rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

45 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
25 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 64% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Okemah Utilities Authority compares to EPA limits

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 16 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.06 mg/L
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 2 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns

What This Means For You

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 16 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Revised Total Coliform Rule at 3 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 1 detection recorded.

Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Oklahoma

Muldrow Pwa
3,104 people
C 6 violations
Chandler
3,142 people
B 13 violations
Pawnee Company Rwd #1
3,200 people
0 violations
Wilburton
3,025 people
C 16 violations
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Water Filtration PFAS Treatment
Flood Insurance $1,800
Water Filtration $600
PFAS Treatment $500
Total Estimated Cost $2,900

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Property Value Decline $5,895

5% of median home value (EPA est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$10,615
10 years
$21,230
20 years
$42,460

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,900 (one-time) vs. $21,230 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

OKEMAH UTILITIES AUTHORITY (EPA ID: OK1020706) is a community water system in Oklahoma that serves approximately 3,113 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: B (70/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

14 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 8 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
January 1, 2025 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Unresolved
October 1, 2024 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Unresolved
September 29, 2024 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2024 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2024 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Unresolved
July 1, 2024 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Resolved
April 1, 2024 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Health-based Unresolved
December 30, 2023 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Monitoring Resolved
June 1, 2023 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
April 1, 2023 E. coli Health-based Unresolved
April 1, 2023 Revised Total Coliform Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2023 Revised Total Coliform Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2023 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 16 Yes
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 3 No
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 3 No
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 2 No
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 1 No
E. coli Microbiological 1 Yes

Health Risk Details

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (EPA limit: 0.06 mg/L)

Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects At-risk groups: pregnant women, infants, long-term consumers of chlorinated municipal water.

Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →

E. coli (EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action))

Severe GI illness; potentially fatal kidney failure in children At-risk groups: children under 5, elderly, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women.

Removal methods: UV disinfection (99.99%), chlorination, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
74859 0.00192 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: 1 ZIP code confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 1 additional ZIP inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Okemah Utilities Authority (OK1020706) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Okemah Utilities Authority water safe to drink?

Okemah Utilities Authority has recorded 14 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does Okemah Utilities Authority serve?

Okemah Utilities Authority serves approximately 3,113 people across 2 ZIP codes in Oklahoma.

Where does Okemah Utilities Authority get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Contact Your Water Utility

Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.

Phone
918-623-1050
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.
Address
502 West Broadway, OKEMAH OK, 74859

Contact information from OKemaH Utilities AuThority Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
Surface water
Drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Disinfectant used
Chloramines
Treatment chemicals reported
chlorinechloramines

Source: OKemaH Utilities AuThority Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

Treatment regime

How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.

Treatment classification
Standard
Disinfection plus one or more treatment additives — typically corrosion control, pH adjustment, or fluoridation. Standard regime for utilities serving treated municipal water.

Treatment chemicals and what each one does

Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.

Disinfectant
Inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the treated water.
chlorinechloramines

Watershed exposure sources reported

Land-use and natural conditions identified in the utility's source-water assessment as potential contamination sources upstream of treatment.

AgricultureSewage systemsUrban stormwater runoff

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from OKemaH Utilities AuThority Consumer Confidence Report.

Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

46
Confirmed Lead
57
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
948
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2021-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 3,113
Reported to Oklahoma

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Notable events and violations

This section summarizes events the utility chose to disclose in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report, plus any federal compliance violations the utility recorded against itself. Both lists are utility-authored — ZipCheckup does not audit, judge, or reorder them.

Federal compliance violations on record

These entries are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR violations section. EPA defines four broad violation categories: Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), Treatment Technique (TT), Monitoring & Reporting (M&R), and Public Notification (PN).

  • reporting · CONSUMER CONFIDENCE RULE
    2024-07-01
    CCR REPORT
  • treatment technique · TTHM
    2024-09-29 to 2025-01-02
    FAILURE SUBMIT OEL REPORT FOR TTHM
  • MCL · TTHM
    2024-07-01 to 2024-09-30
    MCL, LRAA
  • MCL · TTHM
    2024-10-01 to 2024-12-31
    MCL, LRAA
  • monitoring · TURBIDITY
    2024-12-01 to 2024-12-31
    MONITORING, ROUTINE (IESWTR/LT1), MAJOR

Violations record from OKemaH Utilities AuThority Consumer Confidence Report.

Notable events from the utility's CCR

These bullet entries are the utility's own narration of operational, regulatory, or infrastructure events during the reporting period.

Notable events from OKemaH Utilities AuThority Consumer Confidence Report:
  • OEL report failure for TTHM (2024-09-29 to 2025-01-02)
  • TTHM MCL violations during multiple compliance periods (2024-07-01 to 2024-12-31)
  • Turbidity monitoring violation (2024-12-01 to 2024-12-31)
  • Missed turbidity samples required (2024-12)

ZipCheckup note: items above reflect what the utility published in its most recent CCR. Federal violation records are also tracked separately by the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) — the SDWIS record is the authoritative federal source for any specific regulatory action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Okemah Utilities Authority safe to drink?
Okemah Utilities Authority earns a B safety grade with 26 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in Okemah Utilities Authority's water?
Detected contaminants include Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Revised Total Coliform Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Okemah Utilities Authority serve?
Okemah Utilities Authority serves approximately 3,113 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Okemah Utilities Authority's water source?
Okemah Utilities Authority draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Okemah Utilities Authority's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.00192 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Okemah Utilities Authority's service area?
The Okemah Utilities Authority service area has a median household income of $52,974. EPA EJScreen data classifies 100% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Okemah Utilities Authority get its water?
Okemah Utilities Authority's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Okemah Utilities Authority (EPA ID: OK1020706) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

Home Water Systems Oklahoma Okemah Utilities Authority

Get safety alerts for Okemah Utilities Authority, Oklahoma

Free updates when EPA data changes for this area. No spam.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Violations found — check filter options Free tool — no phone call required.