01The verdict: is Altamont water safe?
Altamont's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (82.6/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,005 residents using groundwater (wells).
Copper is over its legal limit
Measured at 1.71 mg/L against the EPA Action Level of 1.3 mg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 4.1 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓2 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Altamont's drinking water received a grade of B+ (82.6 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,005 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 4.1 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 47 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved.
Altamont ranks #65 out of 177 cities in Utah for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. Altamont purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition. As a small community water system, Altamont may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Altamont's water
Every contaminant flagged in Altamont, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L
Exceeds the EPA action level. Copper leaches from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking, and consider a certified filter.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. | 4.1 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 1.71 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Utah
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Utah
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Altamont's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 47 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved.
5 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 4.9 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 4.1 ppb (2026) — 27% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
▼ Down 0.06 mg/L since 1993. The latest reading (1.7 mg/L, 2016) is over the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Altamont's water comes from
Altamont purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Purchased Groundwater
Water is bought from a regional wholesaler; quality starts at the supplier's intake and treatment.
Wholesale supplier
Primary treatment happens at the wholesaler; the local utility maintains disinfectant residual in its pipes.
2 systems
2 water systems (1 wholesaler), operated under local government ownership.
1,005 people
Residents served across Altamont's service area.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Altamont's local distribution pipes and storage facilities. Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,005 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BALLARD WATER IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT | UTAH24001 | 1,005 | Purchased Groundwater |
| DUCHESNE CO WCD | UTAH07069 | — | Purchased Surface Water |
05Pressure on Altamont's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
1 facility within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
3 federal disaster declarations on record for Duchesne County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Duchesne County is in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Altamont compares
Scores for nearby Utah cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Utah average (50/100)
Altamont scores 82.6/100 — above the Utah average of 50/100. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities. Full Utah rankings →
35.3 / 100CWest Jordan, UT
65.1 / 100FOrem, UT
40.7 / 100FSandy, UT
39.5 / 100FLehi, UT
44.9 / 100DEagle Mountain, UT
46.9 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Altamont's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Copper exceeds the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Altamont alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Altamont, UT tap water safe to drink?
Altamont's water quality earned a grade of B+ (82.6/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #65 out of 177 cities tested in Utah.
What contaminants are in Altamont's water?
Lead was measured at 4.1 ppb (90th percentile). 47 violations are on record.
How is Altamont'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 Altamont?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Altamont's water come from?
Altamont's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,005 residents.
What health violations has Altamont's water system had?
Altamont has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 7 violations remain unresolved.
Is Altamont's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Altamont 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 47 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 Altamont's water compare to other cities?
Altamont ranks #65 out of 177 cities in Utah (better than 63% of state cities) and #6827 out of 15382 cities nationally (56th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.