Drinking water quality · 2024
· Verified
What's in Salt Lake City, UT tap water
53 contaminants were measured in the Salt Lake City, UT water system's 2024 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 1 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2024
- Contaminants measured
- 53
- Over federal limit
- 1
- Approaching the limit
- 0
- Worst contaminant
- Lead
- Service area
- UT
1.1× the limit
state-level CCR
At or above the federal limit
Where your water comes from · EPA SDWIS
Salt Lake City, UT's drinking water comes from ground water, drawn from 3 sources.
Source
3ground water
- 1900 S 1100 W WELL
- HONEY WELL
- 1100 N 100 E WELL
Treatment
4treatment plants
- 1900 S 1100 W WL CHLORINATOR
- HONEY WELL CHLORINATOR
- 80 E 1100 N WELL CHLORINATOR
- + 1 more
Distribution
12storage units
Also buys water from WEBER BASIN WCD - SOUTH.
Source: EPA SDWIS facilities inventory. Methodology.
Compliance history
Federal Safe Drinking Water Act violation & enforcement records (EPA SDWIS). A violation is a regulatory determination by the state or EPA — separate from the measured levels above.
- Maximum contaminant level exceededHealth-based4 violations on record · most recent Nov 2007resolved
Source: EPA SDWIS / ECHO. View the full federal record on EPA ECHO ↗
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | 0.016 mg/L90th percentileAt the tap | 0.015 mg/LAction level | At or above the limit |
| MercuryA toxic metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial runoff. | Not detectedReported levelBig Cottonwood WTP | None set | None detected |
+By source (7)— Big Cottonwood WTP, City Creek WTP, Parleys WTP +4 more
| |||
| AluminumA common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant. | 14.2Reported levelMWDSLS Point of the Mountain WTP | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— MWDSLS Point of the Mountain WTP, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD), Salt Lake City Wells +4 more
| |||
| ArsenicA naturally occurring element that also enters water from industry and agriculture. | 0–1.4RangeSalt Lake City Wells | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— Salt Lake City Wells, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD), Big Cottonwood WTP +4 more
| |||
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 20–121RangeSalt Lake City Wells | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— Salt Lake City Wells, MWDSLS Point of the Mountain WTP, MWDSLS Little Cottonwood +4 more
| |||
| BoronA naturally occurring element from rock and soil. | 35Reported levelJordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD) | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| CalciumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 42.2–150RangeSalt Lake City Wells | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (5)— Salt Lake City Wells, Parleys WTP, City Creek WTP +2 more
| |||
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 1.3Reported levelJordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD) | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD), Big Cottonwood WTP, Parleys WTP +1 more
| |||
| IronA naturally occurring metal common in groundwater. | 167Reported levelMWDSLS Point of the Mountain WTP | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— MWDSLS Point of the Mountain WTP, MWDSLS Little Cottonwood, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD) +4 more
| |||
| LithiumA naturally occurring element found in some groundwater. | 13.61 ug/LAverageSlc | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| MagnesiumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 45.9RangeSalt Lake City Wells | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (5)— Salt Lake City Wells, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD), City Creek WTP +2 more
| |||
| ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock. | 2.4Reported levelJordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD) | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD), Salt Lake City Wells, Big Cottonwood WTP +4 more
| |||
| NickelA metal from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 2.35Reported levelMWDSLS Little Cottonwood | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— MWDSLS Little Cottonwood, MWDSLS Point of the Mountain WTP, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD) +4 more
| |||
| PotassiumA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 1.1–3.5RangeSalt Lake City Wells | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (5)— Salt Lake City Wells, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD), Parleys WTP +2 more
| |||
| SeleniumA trace element from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0–2.4RangeSalt Lake City Wells | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— Salt Lake City Wells, City Creek WTP, Parleys WTP +4 more
| |||
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 11.4–72.5RangeSalt Lake City Wells | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— Salt Lake City Wells, Parleys WTP, Big Cottonwood WTP +4 more
| |||
| Thallium | 0.00002Reported levelJordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD) | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD), Big Cottonwood WTP, City Creek WTP +4 more
| |||
| Vanadium | 1.4Reported levelJordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD) | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD), MWDSLS Point of the Mountain WTP, MWDSLS Little Cottonwood +4 more
| |||
| ZincA naturally occurring metal that can also enter water from corroding pipes. | 0.08Reported levelJordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD) | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD), Salt Lake City Wells, Parleys WTP +4 more
| |||
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combined RadiumCombined radium-226 and radium-228 — naturally occurring radioactive elements. | 0.53–3.1 pCi/LRangeCol4 | None set | Within the limit |
| Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. | 2.4–5.2 pCi/LRangeCol4 | 15 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPerfluorohexanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 1.2 ng/LAverageSlc | None set | Within the limit |
| PFOSPerfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in firefighting foam and coatings. | 0.47 ng/LAverageSlc | None set | Within the limit |
| Perfluorohexanoic acidPerfluorohexanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 0.38 ng/LAverageSlc | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluoropentanoic acidPerfluoropentanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 0.4 ng/LAverageSlc | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| BromateA disinfection byproduct formed when bromide-containing water is treated with ozone. | Not detectedAverageMWDSLS Little Cottonwood | None set | None detected |
+By source (3)— MWDSLS Little Cottonwood, MWDSLS Point of the Mountain WTP, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD)
| |||
| BromodichloromethaneA trihalomethane disinfection byproduct. | 2.6 ug/LReported levelCol7 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Chlorite | 0.38AverageJordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD) | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| ChloroformA trihalomethane formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter in water. | 7.4 ug/LReported levelCol7 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| DibromochloromethaneA trihalomethane disinfection byproduct. | 1.2 ug/LReported levelCol3 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 53AverageMWDSLS Point of the Mountain WTP | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Slc, MWDSLS Point of the Mountain WTP, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD) +1 more
| |||
| TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. | 35.24AverageSlc | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Slc, MWDSLS Point of the Mountain WTP, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD) +1 more
| |||
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli (E. coli)Escherichia coli — bacteria found in the gut of humans and animals. | 0 %Reported levelDistribution | None set | None detected |
| Total ColiformA group of bacteria used as an indicator of overall water-system sanitation. | 0.65 %MaximumDistribution | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChlorineA disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses. | 0.92AverageMWDSLS Little Cottonwood | 4MCL | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (4)— Slc, MWDSLS Little Cottonwood, MWDSLS Point of the Mountain WTP +1 more
| |||
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ammonia | 0.3Reported levelJordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD) | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (5)— Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD), Big Cottonwood WTP, City Creek WTP +2 more
| |||
| BromideA naturally occurring salt found in source water. | 0–90RangeSalt Lake City Wells | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— Salt Lake City Wells, Big Cottonwood WTP, City Creek WTP +4 more
| |||
| ChlorideA naturally occurring salt compound. | 17.9–222RangeSalt Lake City Wells | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— Salt Lake City Wells, Parleys WTP, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD) +4 more
| |||
| Cyanide | 0–6RangeSalt Lake City Wells | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— Salt Lake City Wells, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD), Big Cottonwood WTP +4 more
| |||
| FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. | 0.68Reported levelCity Creek WTP | 4MCL | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— City Creek WTP, MWDSLS Little Cottonwood, MWDSLS Point of the Mountain WTP +4 more
| |||
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | 0.16–4.18RangeSalt Lake City Wells | 10MCL | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— Salt Lake City Wells, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD), MWDSLS Little Cottonwood +4 more
| |||
| NitriteA compound from fertilizer runoff, sewage, and erosion of natural deposits. | 0–0.1RangeSalt Lake City Wells | 1MCL | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— Salt Lake City Wells, Big Cottonwood WTP, City Creek WTP +4 more
| |||
| SulfateA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 30.5–291RangeSalt Lake City Wells | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— Salt Lake City Wells, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD), MWDSLS Little Cottonwood +4 more
| |||
Other
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium | 4.7Reported levelMWDSLS Point of the Mountain WTP | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— MWDSLS Point of the Mountain WTP, MWDSLS Little Cottonwood, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD) +4 more
| |||
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlkalinityA measure of the water's capacity to neutralize acids. | 113–262RangeSalt Lake City Wells | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— Salt Lake City Wells, City Creek WTP, Parleys WTP +4 more
| |||
| Bicarbonate | 113–262RangeSalt Lake City Wells | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (5)— Salt Lake City Wells, City Creek WTP, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD) +2 more
| |||
| ColorA measure of visible tint in the water. | 4.2Reported levelJordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD) | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| HardnessA measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals. | 167–538RangeSalt Lake City Wells | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— Salt Lake City Wells, City Creek WTP, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD) +4 more
| |||
| pHA measure of how acidic or basic the water is. | 7.1–8.1RangeSalt Lake City Wells | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— Salt Lake City Wells, City Creek WTP, Big Cottonwood WTP +4 more
| |||
| Specific ConductanceA measure of how well water conducts electricity, which tracks dissolved mineral content. | 387–1509RangeSalt Lake City Wells | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (6)— Salt Lake City Wells, Parleys WTP, MWDSLS Point of the Mountain WTP +3 more
| |||
| TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. | 2.01Reported levelCol3 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Total Dissolved SolidsTotal dissolved solids — the combined content of all dissolved minerals and salts. | 244–888RangeSalt Lake City Wells | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— Salt Lake City Wells, Parleys WTP, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD) +4 more
| |||
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.1–6.72RangeSalt Lake City Wells | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (7)— Salt Lake City Wells, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District (JVWCD), Parleys WTP +4 more
| |||
Source: Salt Lake City, UT's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. utility is required to publish. The numbers on this page are the utility's own. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
People also ask about Salt Lake City, UT's water
+Is Salt Lake City, UT tap water safe to drink in 2024?
The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report for the Salt Lake City, UT water utility lists 1 contaminant at or above the federal limit: Lead. Whether that means the water is "unsafe" depends on which contaminant, how long the exposure, and individual health factors. The table on this page shows the measured value, the federal threshold, and the regulated statistic used for compliance.
+What contaminants are in Salt Lake City, UT tap water?
53 contaminants were measured in Salt Lake City, UT's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning metals, physical & aggregate, and inorganic chemicals. 6 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.
+Which contaminants exceed federal limits in Salt Lake City, UT tap water?
One contaminant in Salt Lake City, UT's 2024 report sits at or above the federal limit: Lead (1.1× the limit). The EPA enforces these limits against the regulated reporting statistic — typically a running annual average or 90th percentile — not a one-off sample spike.
+What is the worst contaminant in Salt Lake City, UT tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2024 report is Lead, at 1.1× the federal threshold. It belongs to the metals family of contaminants.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from Salt Lake City, UT's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. public water utility is required by federal law to publish. The original source document is archived and viewable on this site. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
+How often is Salt Lake City, UT's water quality data updated?
Each U.S. public water utility publishes one Consumer Confidence Report per year, covering the prior calendar year's measurements. This page reflects the 2024 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.