Tulsa Drinking Water Quality
What's Really in Your Tap Water?
Good news for Tulsa residents — your tap water meets all current EPA drinking water standards. With 145 ppm hardness (8.5 gpg), expect some mineral deposits over time. Lead levels test well below the EPA action level. No violations have been recorded in the past 3 years.
Safe to Drink
Meets all EPA standards
8.5 GPG hardness
Lead
Below EPA action level
EPA action level: 15 ppb
Hardness
Hard water
US Average: 100 ppm
Is Tulsa Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Tulsa tap water meets all current EPA drinking water standards.
10 contaminants were tested in Tulsa's water. 7 were detected — all within EPA limits.
Disinfectants — Chloramine is at 2.5 ppm — 63% of the EPA limit (4 ppm). Within legal limits, but elevated.
A disinfectant made from chlorine and ammonia, used as an alternative to chlorine. Lasts longer in the distribution system. Safe at regulated levels. Produces fewer disinfection byproducts than chlorine, but can be harmful to fish and dialysis patients.
→ Catalytic carbon filters or reverse osmosis can remove chloramine. Standard carbon filters are less effective.
Disinfection Byproducts — 2 contaminants detected, all within EPA limits. Highest: Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 36 ppb (45% of EPA limit).
Inorganic Chemicals — 2 contaminants detected, all within EPA limits. Highest: Fluoride at 0.69 ppm (17% of EPA limit).
PFAS "Forever Chemicals" — No PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in available test data.
Lead — Lead (1.67 ppb) is at 11% of the EPA action level of 15 ppb.
The data below shows test results from 1 water utility serving 413K people in the Tulsa area.
Based on publicly available data from City of Tulsa 2024 Water Quality Report (2024). Water quality can vary by location, building plumbing, and over time. This assessment reflects compliance with federal EPA standards and is not medical advice.
Do I Need a Water Filter?
With hard water (145 ppm), a water softener can reduce scale buildup in pipes, appliances, and water heaters.
How Tulsa Compares
Compared to 51 major US cities based on 2024 Consumer Confidence Report data
Lead (90th percentile)
National avg: 2.85 ppb
1.67 ppb
41% below average
Water Hardness
National avg: 127.2 ppm
115 ppm
Near average
PFAS Contamination
Detected in 33% of major US cities
Not Detected
67% of cities are PFAS-free
How Hard is Tulsa Water?
145 ppm
8.5 grains per gallon
Hard water can cause scale buildup in pipes and appliances. A water softener may be beneficial.
Impact on Your Home
Shower
May dry out skin & hair
Kitchen
Spots on dishes
Laundry
Clothes may feel stiff
Appliances
Scale buildup
Regional Comparison
Values in ppm (mg/L as CaCO₃)
Do I Need a Water Softener?
At 145 ppm, Tulsa has hard water. You may notice white spots on dishes, dry skin after showering, and mineral buildup on fixtures. A water softener can help reduce these effects. Hard water is generally not a health concern according to the WHO.
Want to verify your home's exact hardness level? See our best water hardness test kits.
Range: 89–140 ppm
Based on 22 samples from City of Tulsa 2024 Water Quality Report (2024)
Your pipes tell a different story
The data above shows what leaves the treatment plant—not what comes out of your faucet. Old pipes, lead solder, and building plumbing can add contaminants the city never tests for. Know exactly what's in your Tulsa tap water.
Home test kits detect lead, bacteria, pesticides, and 100+ other contaminants. Results in 5-10 business days from certified labs.
Lead & Contaminants
Understanding lead levels and water quality violations in Tulsa
Lead Test Results
90th Percentile Lead Level
1.67 ppb
Tulsa lead levels are well below the EPA action level.
Regular testing is still recommended, as lead can enter water through household plumbing.
Last sampled: 2024-12-31
About Lead in Drinking Water
What is Lead in Water?
According to the EPA, lead is a toxic metal that can dissolve into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. It's invisible, tasteless, and odorless, making testing the only way to detect it. The EPA has set an action level of 15 ppb and states there is no safe level of lead exposure.
Potential Health Effects
According to the CDC: developmental delays, learning difficulties, lower IQ, behavioral issues
According to the EPA: high blood pressure, kidney damage, reproductive issues
How to Reduce Exposure
- •Run water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before drinking, especially in the morning
- •Use cold water for cooking and drinking (hot water dissolves more lead)
- •Install a NSF-certified filter designed to remove lead
- •Test your water, especially if your home was built before 1986
PFAS “Forever Chemicals”
No PFAS detected in available test data
PFAS are synthetic chemicals that don't break down in the environment. No PFAS were detected in available test data.
Gross Alpha
20% of EPA limit
Other Detected Contaminants
10 contaminants detected
| Contaminant | Your Water | Limit (MCL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
36 ppb Range: 19-52 Highest LRAA; chloramines disinfection | 80 ppb | Safe 45% of limit | |
15 ppb Range: 4.4-24 Highest LRAA; very low due to chloramine disinfection | 60 ppb | Safe 25% of limit | |
2.5 ppm Range: 1.6-3.3 Highest RAA | 4 ppm | Caution 63% of limit | |
0.69 ppm Range: 0.26-0.85 Added; Tulsa ordinance limits max to 0.7 ppm | 4 ppm | Safe 17% of limit | |
Atrazine | 0.36 ppb Range: 0.217-0.511 Highest RAA 0.36 ppb (12% of MCL); agricultural runoff from northeastern Oklahoma lakes | 3 ppb | Safe 12% of limit |
0.28 ppm | 10 ppm | Safe 3% of limit | |
Gross Alpha | 3 pCi/L < 3.00 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | Safe 20% of limit |
0 ppt ND - UCMR5 and 2024 CCR monitoring | 4 ppt 0 | Safe | |
0 ppt ND - UCMR5 and 2024 CCR monitoring | 4 ppt 0 | Safe | |
Lithium | 0 ppb ND - UCMR5 | N/A | Safe |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA legal limit)
EPA Compliance History
Excellent Record
No violations in past 3 yearsThis utility has maintained full EPA compliance. No action needed, but regular home testing is still recommended.
3-Year Violation Summary
0
Total Violations
0
Health-Related
0
Administrative
Health-Related Violations
Contaminant exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels. The EPA recommends considering certified filtration.
Administrative Violations
Missed testing deadlines or reporting. Does not indicate water quality issues.
Who Provides Tulsa's Water?
Utility Name
TULSA
EPA System ID (PWSID)
OK1020418
Primary Water Source
Surface Water
Population Served
413K
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Tulsa tap water quality
Nearby Cities in Oklahoma
Oklahoma City
Very Hard water
Broken Arrow Municipal Authority
Hard water
Norman
Very Hard water
Lawton
Hard water
Edmond Pwa
Very Hard water
Midwest City
Very Hard water
This data is for informational purposes only. Water quality can vary by neighborhood and building. For official reports, contact your local water utility or the EPA. Learn about our methodology
Data source: City of Tulsa 2024 Water Quality Report (2024) • View report