Oklahoma City – Oklahoma – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your city
Oklahoma City’s Utilities Department manages a comprehensive water system serving over 1.4 million residents in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. The system includes approximately 3,000 miles of water mains, multiple reservoirs, and advanced treatment facilities delivering water to the greater Oklahoma City region and surrounding communities.
The city draws its drinking water from multiple sources including Lake Hefner and Lake Overholser (fed by the North Canadian River), Lake Stanley Draper (fed by water from Lake Atoka and McGee Creek Reservoir in southeastern Oklahoma via the Atoka pipeline), and Canton Lake as a supplemental source during drought or high demand periods. The Atoka pipeline transports water approximately 100 miles from southeastern Oklahoma, with pumping stations along the route – a water transfer that has sparked environmental and water rights discussions with southeastern Oklahoma communities. Oklahoma City’s water consistently meets all federal and state quality standards, though it faces seasonal taste and odor challenges due to algae blooms, particularly during late summer and early fall months (August-October) when geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) are produced. The city uses ozone treatment at the Hefner Water Treatment Plant as their primary disinfection method, which helps improve water quality and reduce chemical tastes while minimizing disinfection byproducts.
Oklahoma City Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- Lead Levels: The most recent testing period showed 90th percentile lead levels of 3.2 parts per billion (ppb), significantly below the EPA action level of 15 ppb. This testing is conducted specifically in homes with potential lead service lines and represents a small fraction of the overall system.
- Testing Scope: Oklahoma City conducts extensive water quality tests annually throughout the system, with particular focus on regulated contaminants and emerging compounds of concern, including PFAS monitoring which currently shows non-detectable levels.
- Compliance Status: Oklahoma City’s water meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards, maintaining full compliance with EPA and Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality regulations.
Diverse Water Sources
- Lake Hefner & Lake Overholser: Primary sources located in Oklahoma City, fed by the North Canadian River. These lakes have a history of seasonal eutrophication (excessive algae growth) due to nutrient-rich runoff.
- Lake Stanley Draper: Major source fed by the Atoka pipeline, which transports water approximately 100 miles from Lake Atoka and McGee Creek Reservoir in southeastern Oklahoma.
- Canton Lake & Supplemental Sources: Additional water sources used during peak demand periods and drought conditions, providing system resilience during water shortages.
Treatment Technology
- Multiple Treatment Plants: The Hefner and Draper water treatment plants are Oklahoma City’s primary facilities, utilizing a combination of conventional treatment processes and advanced disinfection methods.
- Ozone Disinfection: The Hefner Water Treatment Plant uses ozone as the primary disinfectant, which is more effective against certain pathogens and produces fewer disinfection byproducts than chlorine alone. The current ozone system was completed in 2017 at a cost of approximately $50 million.
- Taste & Odor Management: The city uses activated carbon and other treatment processes to address seasonal taste and odor issues from algal blooms that produce geosmin and 2-MIB compounds, which cause earthy or musty tastes detectable at extremely low concentrations.
Infrastructure Development
- Pipeline Enhancement: Annual replacement of approximately 20 miles of aging water mains, prioritizing areas with frequent breaks and water loss.
- Second Atoka Pipeline: Major infrastructure project underway to double capacity from southeastern Oklahoma water sources, improving system reliability and drought resilience.
- Smart Metering Initiative: Advanced metering infrastructure deployment with real-time consumption monitoring and leak detection capabilities to improve distribution efficiency.
Customer Support Programs
Oklahoma City provides extensive customer support including home water quality testing, payment assistance for low-income residents, and conservation education. The city’s H2O Access program offers financial aid for water bill payments, while public outreach initiatives promote water conservation and quality awareness. Oklahoma City’s commitment to sustainable water management includes xeriscaping incentives, irrigation efficiency programs, and transparent water quality reporting. The system’s diverse water sources, combined with ongoing infrastructure investments, ensure reliable water delivery even during periods of drought that periodically affect the southern plains region.
Recommendations for Oklahoma City Residents
Request Water Testing
Oklahoma City offers free basic water quality testing for residents. Call (405) 297-2833 or visit okc.gov/utilities to request testing, especially if you notice unusual taste, odor, or color in your water.
Conserve Water
Participate in the city’s Water Smart program for rebates on water-efficient appliances and irrigation systems. Visit squeezeeverydrop.com to learn about xeriscaping options that thrive in Oklahoma’s climate.
Consider Seasonal Filtration
During late summer and early fall algae bloom seasons (typically August-October), NSF-certified activated carbon filters (Standard 42) can improve taste and odor issues caused by geosmin and MIB compounds from algae. Many residents find these filters particularly helpful during seasonal water quality changes.
Follow Watering Restrictions
Oklahoma City uses a year-round odd/even watering schedule based on address numbers. During drought, additional restrictions may apply. Check current status at okc.gov/water or by calling the Water Conservation Hotline at (405) 297-3153.
Report Concerns
Use the OKC Connect app or call the 24-hour Water Line at (405) 297-3334 to report water main breaks, quality issues, or leaks. For urgent water emergencies after hours, contact the emergency hotline at (405) 297-3334.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oklahoma City’s tap water safe to drink?
Yes, Oklahoma City’s tap water consistently meets all federal and state safety standards. The city’s water undergoes extensive testing and treatment before distribution, with over 50,000 annual quality tests confirming its safety.
While entirely safe to consume, some residents notice seasonal taste and odor variations, particularly during summer months when algae blooms occur in reservoirs. These aesthetic issues do not impact safety but may affect palatability. For sensitive individuals, NSF-certified carbon filters can improve taste. The city’s water has relatively low lead levels (90th percentile at 3.2 ppb), well below EPA action levels, due to effective corrosion control and relatively newer infrastructure compared to older cities.
Why does my water sometimes taste or smell different in late summer and fall?
The seasonal taste and odor changes in Oklahoma City’s water are primarily caused by:
• Algae blooms: During the late summer and early fall months (August-October), algae in Lake Hefner and Lake Overholser produce compounds called geosmin and 2-MIB that create earthy or musty tastes and odors, detectable by humans at extremely low concentrations (parts per trillion).
• Treatment changes: During maintenance periods, the city may temporarily switch from ozone disinfection to chlorination, which can affect taste and odor while keeping the water safe to drink.
• Source water changes: During peak demand, the city may draw more heavily from certain water sources that have different mineral profiles.
The city addresses these issues through treatment techniques including ozone disinfection and activated carbon, which reduce but don’t completely eliminate these compounds. Home carbon filters can effectively remove remaining taste and odor compounds.
How does Oklahoma City ensure water security during droughts?
Oklahoma City has developed a comprehensive drought management strategy:
• Diverse water sources: Multiple reservoirs and supply systems provide redundancy, including Lake Hefner, Lake Overholser, Lake Stanley Draper, Lake Atoka, McGee Creek Reservoir, and Canton Lake
• Water rights portfolio: The city maintains water rights to various sources including Canton Lake for emergency supply
• Tiered drought response: Progressive water restrictions activated based on reservoir levels and climate conditions
• Infrastructure investment: The Second Atoka Pipeline project (under construction) will double capacity from southeastern Oklahoma
• Conservation programs: Year-round odd/even watering schedule and robust rebate programs for water-efficient fixtures and xeriscaping
• Aquifer storage: Long-term planning for aquifer storage and recovery to bank water during wet periods
These measures have successfully maintained water security through several significant drought periods, most recently in 2011-2014.
What are Oklahoma City’s water hardness levels?
Oklahoma City’s water is classified as moderately hard to hard:
Hardness Levels:
• Average: 120-180 mg/L (7-10.5 grains per gallon)
• Seasonal variation: Higher in summer, lower in winter
• Source variation: Water from Lake Draper tends to be slightly softer than water from Lake Hefner/Overholser
What This Means:
• Potential scale buildup on fixtures and appliances
• Possible need for more soap when cleaning
• May affect taste (mineral content contributes to flavor profile)
Hard water has no health impacts and actually provides beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium. For residents concerned about hardness, point-of-use water softeners are an option, though the city does not recommend whole-house softening due to increased sodium content in softened water.
Contaminants of Concern
Taste and Odor Compounds
Source: Seasonal algae growth in reservoirs produces geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB), compounds detectable by humans at extremely low concentrations (parts per trillion)
Effects: No health impacts, but cause earthy, musty tastes and odors that affect palatability, primarily during late summer and early fall (August-October)
Current Status: Managed through ozone treatment and activated carbon; levels vary seasonally with peak concerns during summer algae blooms
Emerging Contaminants
PFAS Monitoring: Oklahoma City actively monitors for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), with current testing showing non-detectable levels of these “forever chemicals” that are an emerging concern nationwide
Health Effects: Studies have linked PFAS exposure to potential health impacts including increased cholesterol levels, changes in liver enzymes, decreased vaccine response in children, and increased risk of certain cancers
Current Status: Oklahoma City’s drinking water meets all current EPA guidelines for PFAS; the utility continues proactive monitoring as regulations evolve
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