Utah – The Beehive State – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your state
Utah’s water infrastructure serves approximately 3.4 million residents across a vast arid landscape, from the rugged Wasatch Mountains to the expansive Great Basin. The state operates through a network of over 850 public water systems, ranging from large municipal utilities like Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities, which serves over 200,000 customers, to smaller rural systems providing essential services across Utah’s challenging terrain. Utah’s water sources depend heavily on snowpack (95% of the state’s water supply), supplemented by groundwater wells, the Colorado River system, and careful reservoir management across 18 major watersheds.
Despite Utah’s reputation as one of America’s driest states, the state faces complex water quality and supply challenges. Utah received over $175 million in federal infrastructure investments from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with significant focus on PFAS monitoring and emerging contaminant removal. The state has demonstrated proactive leadership in water conservation and infrastructure planning, including Governor Spencer Cox’s drought emergency declarations in 2025 and an ambitious $60 billion infrastructure investment plan through 2060. Utah’s commitment to water security is demonstrated through partnerships between the Utah Division of Water Resources, the Department of Environmental Quality, and local utilities working to ensure reliable water access while addressing climate variability and growing population demands.
Utah Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Statewide Compliance and Testing
- Overall Compliance: Over 90% of Utah’s 850+ public water systems maintain approved ratings and meet federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards, though PFAS contamination has been detected in select locations including Salt Lake City and Park City water sources.
- PFAS Monitoring: Utah has implemented comprehensive PFAS testing under the EPA’s Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5), with most test results falling well below EPA advisory limits, though some locations require attention as new 2024 standards take effect.
- Infrastructure Investment: Over $175 million in federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has been allocated to Utah since 2022, including $43.8 million announced in 2024 for water infrastructure upgrades and emerging contaminant treatment.
Major Water Sources and Challenges
- Snowpack Dependency: Approximately 95% of Utah’s water supply originates from mountain snowpack, making the state highly vulnerable to climate variability and drought conditions, with 2025 showing subpar snowpack levels in many regions.
- Great Salt Lake Concerns: The iconic lake has experienced significant water level fluctuations, with modest increases since November 2024 but continued concerns about long-term sustainability and ecosystem health.
- Drought Emergency Response: Governor Spencer Cox issued drought emergency declarations affecting 17 counties in April 2025, highlighting the ongoing challenge of balancing water supply with growing demand across the state.
Emerging Contaminant Response
- PFAS Implementation: New EPA drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS (4 parts per trillion) require compliance by 2029, with Park City becoming the first Utah water system to receive approval for its PFAS compliance plan, utilizing innovative blending strategies.
- Proactive Testing: Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities began PFAS sampling in 2013, well ahead of federal requirements, demonstrating Utah’s commitment to staying ahead of emerging contamination issues.
- Source Protection Focus: The state has identified potential PFAS sources including firefighting foam use at military bases and airports, plus ski wax contamination in mountain watersheds, leading to targeted monitoring and prevention efforts.
Water Conservation and Supply
- Record Conservation Efforts: Utah has implemented aggressive conservation programs including the SlowtheFlow.org initiative, with nearly 60% of residential water use going to landscaping, creating significant opportunities for efficiency improvements.
- Infrastructure Planning: The state projects $60 billion in water infrastructure needs by 2060, including $38.2 billion for drinking water, $15 billion for water quality, and $6 billion for irrigation improvements.
- Fluoridation Changes: Community water fluoridation ended statewide in May 2025 following legislative action (H.B. 81), affecting over 1.6 million Utahns who previously received fluoridated water.
Looking Forward: 2025-2030
Utah’s water landscape is characterized by proactive planning and innovative solutions to address the challenges of being one of America’s driest states. The state’s early adoption of PFAS monitoring, comprehensive conservation programs, and ambitious infrastructure planning position Utah as a leader in western water management. However, successful long-term water security will require continued investment in infrastructure modernization, aggressive conservation measures, and adaptive management strategies that can respond to climate variability while supporting Utah’s growing population and economy through 2060 and beyond.
Recommendations for Utah Residents
Know Your Water Source
Contact your water utility for annual water quality reports and PFAS testing results. Use the Utah Division of Drinking Water’s lookup tool to find your specific water system and access quality data through their public database.
Practice Aggressive Conservation
Visit SlowtheFlow.org for rebates and incentives on drought-resilient landscaping. Since 60% of residential water goes to landscaping, converting lawns to water-wise alternatives can significantly reduce consumption during drought conditions.
Consider PFAS Filtration
For areas with detected PFAS contamination, consider NSF-certified activated carbon or reverse osmosis filters specifically tested for PFAS removal. Monitor your local utility’s compliance plan as new EPA standards take effect through 2029.
Report Water Quality Concerns
Contact your local water utility immediately for taste, odor, or color concerns. Report suspected contamination to the Utah Department of Environmental Quality Division of Drinking Water for investigation and follow-up.
Monitor Drought Conditions
Stay informed about drought declarations and conservation orders from the Governor’s office. Follow weekly lawn watering guides and adjust irrigation schedules based on seasonal conditions and reservoir levels.
Utah Cities We Cover
Salt Lake City Water Quality
Comprehensive analysis of Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities, serving over 200,000 customers in Utah’s capital region. Includes information on water sources from Wasatch canyons, groundwater wells, PFAS monitoring, and treatment processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Utah’s tap water safe to drink?
Over 90% of Utah’s public water systems meet federal drinking water standards and are generally safe for consumption. However, some areas have detected PFAS levels that may require attention under new EPA guidelines.
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality requires comprehensive testing across all 850+ public water systems. Most PFAS test results fall well below EPA advisory limits, indicating low risk for human exposure through Utah’s drinking water. The state has received over $175 million in federal funding to address infrastructure needs and emerging contaminants. Residents should review their utility’s annual water quality report and stay informed about local conditions, especially regarding PFAS compliance plans as new standards take effect by 2029.
Why is water conservation so critical in Utah?
Utah is one of America’s driest states, with 95% of its water supply dependent on mountain snowpack, making it extremely vulnerable to drought and climate variability.
The state faces a unique combination of challenges: rapid population growth, climate-driven drought conditions, and heavy reliance on snowpack that varies dramatically year to year. In 2025, Governor Spencer Cox issued drought emergency declarations for 17 counties due to subpar snowpack levels. Utah projects $60 billion in water infrastructure needs by 2060, while nearly 60% of residential water use goes to landscaping. The state’s aggressive conservation programs through SlowtheFlow.org and other initiatives are essential to stretch limited water supplies and ensure long-term water security for Utah’s growing population.
How can I find out about my local water quality in Utah?
Utah residents can access water quality information through several resources:
• Utah Division of Drinking Water Lookup Tool: Enter your address to find your specific water system and access quality testing results
• Annual Consumer Confidence Reports: Contact your water utility directly for their detailed water quality report containing all testing results and any violations
• PFAS Sampling Map: Utah DEQ provides an interactive map showing PFAS testing results across the state, updated annually
• Utah DEQ Public Database: Access comprehensive water quality data and compliance information for all public water systems statewide
What makes Utah’s water situation unique compared to other states?
Utah faces a distinctive combination of geographic and climatic challenges:
Extreme Snowpack Dependence: Unlike most states, Utah gets 95% of its water from mountain snowpack, creating vulnerability to climate variability and making annual water supply highly unpredictable
Arid Climate with Rapid Growth: As one of America’s driest states with one of the fastest-growing populations, Utah faces intense pressure on limited water resources
Innovative Conservation Leadership: Utah has become a national leader in water conservation technology and programs, including secondary water metering and landscape conversion incentives
Unique Water Management: The state has developed sophisticated reservoir management systems and is pioneering water reuse and desalination projects to diversify water sources beyond traditional snowpack dependency
Contaminants of Concern
PFAS “Forever Chemicals”
Source: Firefighting foam use at military bases and airports, ski wax contamination in mountain watersheds, industrial discharges, and PFAS-containing consumer products
Health Effects: Associated with kidney and testicular cancer, liver damage, immune system suppression, developmental effects, and cardiovascular impacts from long-term exposure
Current Status: PFAS detected in Salt Lake City wells (7.8 ppt initially, 7.1 ppt follow-up) and Park City drinking water, with most Utah test results falling well below EPA advisory limits EPA Limits: New 2024 standards require compliance with 4 ppt limits for PFOA and PFOS by 2029
Drought and Water Scarcity
Source: Climate variability, below-normal snowpack accumulation, increased temperatures, and growing population demands placing stress on limited water resources
Health Effects: Potential for compromised water quality during drought conditions, increased concentrations of contaminants, and stress on water treatment infrastructure
Current Status: Governor Cox issued drought emergency declarations for 17 counties in April 2025 due to subpar snowpack levels and low streamflow forecasts Response Measures: Aggressive conservation programs, reservoir management optimization, and emergency water shortage funding mechanisms
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