Is Afton, WY Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D+, with 52 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
50/100
Afton, WY — Water Quality Report
Afton's drinking water received a grade of D+ (50 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 7 water systems serve approximately 2,750 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 391 violations on record, including 34 health-based violations. 52 remain unresolved.
What to know about Afton's water
Afton ranks #51 out of 65 cities in Wyoming for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.
Afton relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Afton may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 45 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Afton, WY water safe to drink?
Afton's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D+ (50/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 7 water systems serve approximately 2,750 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Afton
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Afton's water quality assessment. Grade: D+ (50/100).
1 health-based. Contaminants: Groundwater Rule.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Afton's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Afton's water system has 391 total violations on record, including 34 health-based violations. 52 remain unresolved. 45 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Where does Afton's water come from?
Afton's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 7 water systems serving approximately 2,750 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Crow Creek (river).
What Afton residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Afton's water.
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtLincoln County is currently in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 1.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Afton compares by contaminant
Explore where Afton ranks among all Wyoming cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Afton's water comes from
Afton's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 2,750 people through 7 water systems.
Water bodies near Afton
Afton is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Afton
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFTON, BOARD OF PUB UTILITIES | WY5600002 | 2,000 | GW |
| OSMOND PIPELINE CO | WY5600154 | 250 | GW |
| FAIRVIEW WATER & SEWER DISTRICT | WY5600166 | 230 | GW |
| STAR VIEW ESTATES | WY5600893 | 84 | GW |
| WESTVIEW VILLAGE | WY5600864 | 83 | GW |
| STAR VALLEY TRAILER COURT | WY5601017 | 72 | GW |
| OSMOND I&S DISTRICT | WY5600153 | 31 | GU |
How Afton compares
Full Wyoming rankings →Afton's score of 50/100 is on par with the average of 55/100 among major Wyoming cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Wyoming rankings →About Afton, WY
Wikipedia →Afton is a town in Lincoln County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 2,172 at the 2020 census. Afton is home to the world's largest arch made of elk antlers. Spanning 75 feet (23 m) across the four lanes of U.S. Highway 89, the arch, completed in 1958, consists of 3,011 naturally shed elk antlers and weighs 15 tons.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Afton's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Lincoln
Frequently asked questions
Is Afton, WY tap water safe to drink?
Afton's water quality earned a grade of D+ (50/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #51 out of 65 cities tested in Wyoming.
What contaminants are in Afton's water?
Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 391 violations are on record.
How is Afton's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Afton?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Afton's water come from?
Afton's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 7 water systems serving approximately 2,750 residents.
What health violations has Afton's water system had?
Afton has 34 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in March 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 52 violations remain unresolved.
Is Afton's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Afton uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 391 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Afton's water compare to other cities?
Afton ranks #51 out of 65 cities in Wyoming (better than 22% of state cities) and #13096 out of 15744 cities nationally (17th percentile). The grade of D+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.