Oklahoma Water Report Card: Worst Water Systems
The most contaminated public water systems in Oklahoma, ranked by PFAS levels, lead, and EPA violations from official EPA data.
Quick Answer
Broken Arrow Municipal Authority has the highest PFAS in Oklahoma at 51.3 ppt (13x the EPA limit). Cherokee has the highest lead at 63.5 ppb. The tables below rank the worst systems in each category so you can see how your water compares.
Highest PFAS Levels in Oklahoma
Public water systems in Oklahoma with the highest peak PFAS ("forever chemical") reading in EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025). The EPA enforceable limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt.
| # | Water System | Location | Peak PFAS (ppt) | Compounds | vs 4 ppt limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Broken Arrow Municipal Authority | Broken Arrow · 116,330 served | 51.3 | 6 | 13x |
| 2 | Wagoner Co. Rwd #5 | Coweta · 4,251 served | 34 | 5 | 9x |
| 3 | Wagoner Co. Rwd #4 | Broken Arrow · 25,792 served | 29.5 | 4 | 7x |
| 4 | Mayes Co Rwd # 2 | Chouteau · 6,280 served | 17.7 | 1 | 4x |
| 5 | Rogers Co Rwd # 8 | Claremore · 3,375 served | 14 | 1 | 4x |
| 6 | Frederick | Frederick · 3,940 served | 12.5 | 1 | 3x |
| 7 | Southern Okla Water Corp | Ardmore · 11,250 served | 11.2 | 2 | 3x |
| 8 | Jefferson Co Cons Rwd #1 | Hastings · 8,398 served | 11.1 | 1 | 3x |
| 9 | Dewey Public Works Authority | Dewey · 3,490 served | 11 | 1 | 3x |
| 10 | Logan Co Rwd #1 | Guthrie · 8,907 served | 10.4 | 5 | 3x |
| 11 | Nowata Municipal Authority | Nowata · 3,971 served | 9.4 | 4 | 2x |
| 12 | Bethany | Bethany · 20,307 served | 9 | 3 | 2x |
Highest Lead Levels in Oklahoma
Community water systems in Oklahoma with the highest 90th-percentile lead result under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA action level is 15 ppb; there is no safe level of lead for children.
| # | Water System | Location | Lead 90th-pctile (ppb) | vs 15 ppb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cherokee | Cherokee · 1,630 served | 63.5 | 4.2x over |
| 2 | Pawhuska | Pawhuska · 3,800 served | 59.2 | 3.9x over |
| 3 | Bristow Municipal Authority | Bristow · 3,700 served | 46 | 3.1x over |
| 4 | Coalgate Pwa | Coalgate · 2,005 served | 43.1 | 2.9x over |
| 5 | Mcclain Co Rwd # 8 | Wayne · 1,897 served | 38 | 2.5x over |
| 6 | Latimer Co. Rwd #2 | Talihina · 1,500 served | 36.5 | 2.4x over |
| 7 | Cleveland Municipal Authority | Cleveland · 3,262 served | 26.8 | 1.8x over |
| 8 | Atoka Co. Rwd #3 (Caney) | Caddo · 1,500 served | 24.8 | 1.7x over |
| 9 | Konawa Pwa | Konawa · 1,479 served | 24.3 | 1.6x over |
| 10 | Washington Co Rwd #1 | Ochelata · 1,375 served | 23.4 | 1.6x over |
| 11 | Tecumseh Utility Authority | Tecumseh · 6,098 served | 20.5 | 1.4x over |
| 12 | Mooreland | Mooreland · 1,226 served | 19.4 | 1.3x over |
Most EPA Violations in Oklahoma
Community water systems in Oklahoma with the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
| # | Water System | Location | Health-based violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barnsdall | Barnsdall · 1,243 served | 195 |
| 2 | Grandfield | Grandfield · 1,110 served | 147 |
| 3 | Hominy | Hominy · 2,584 served | 145 |
| 4 | Cleveland Municipal Authority | Cleveland · 3,262 served | 125 |
| 5 | Muskogee Co. Rwd #3 | Council Hill · 1,300 served | 123 |
| 6 | Eufaula Pwa | Eufaula · 2,766 served | 123 |
| 7 | Waurika Public Works Authority | Waurika · 2,100 served | 116 |
| 8 | Fairfax | Fairfax · 1,555 served | 115 |
| 9 | Coweta Pwa | Coweta · 9,450 served | 113 |
| 10 | Pushmataha Co. Rwd #3 | Antlers · 4,825 served | 106 |
| 11 | Wewoka Public Works Authority | Wewoka · 3,450 served | 105 |
| 12 | Stroud Utilities Authority | Stroud · 2,811 served | 104 |
How This Report Card Is Built
PFAS rankings use EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), showing each system's peak detection above the 4 ppt EPA limit. Lead rankings use the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results. Violation counts come from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and count health-based violations. Lead and violation lists are limited to community water systems serving 1,000 or more people. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most PFAS-contaminated water system in Oklahoma?
In EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025), Broken Arrow Municipal Authority in Broken Arrow had the highest recorded PFAS level in Oklahoma at 51.3 ppt - about 13x the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS.
Which Oklahoma water system has the highest lead levels?
Cherokee in Cherokee had the highest 90th-percentile lead result in Oklahoma under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule at 63.5 ppb - 4.2x the 15 ppb action level.
Which Oklahoma water system has the most EPA violations?
Barnsdall in Barnsdall has the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record in Oklahoma, with 195 violations.
Where does the Oklahoma water report card data come from?
PFAS figures come from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), lead from the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results, and violations from EPA SDWIS health-based violation records. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water. Check your exact address at knowyourexposure.com.
What Oklahoma Residents Should Do
- Look up your exact address at knowyourexposure.com for your system's data
- See the full Oklahoma water quality overview
- If your system is listed, a certified filter (reverse osmosis for PFAS, NSF-53 for lead) reduces exposure at the tap. See the best water filters.