Is Arapaho, OK Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
85.4/100
waterverge.com Arapaho, OK — Water Quality Report
Arapaho's drinking water received a grade of A- (85.4 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 748 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 20 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Arapaho's water
Arapaho ranks #47 out of 358 cities in Oklahoma for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
As a small community water system, Arapaho may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 12 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Arapaho, OK water safe to drink?
Arapaho's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (85.4/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 748 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Arapaho
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Arapaho's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (85.4/100).
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule, Chloramine.
Contaminants: Chloramine, Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3219). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-794). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Arapaho's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Arapaho's water system has 20 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved. 12 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Custer County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1982. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Washita River Near Clinton.
Where does Arapaho's water come from?
Arapaho's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 748 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Washita River Near Clinton (river).
What Arapaho residents can do
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.
Arapaho's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Arapaho
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Arapaho, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
ENABLE PRODUCTS/CLINTON NATURAL GAS PROCESSING PLANT CLINTON, OK73601 | — | — | 7.8 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtCuster County is currently in D3 (extreme 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.
Flood & disaster history
Custer County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1982. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Arapaho compares by contaminant
Explore where Arapaho ranks among all Oklahoma cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Arapaho's water comes from
Arapaho's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 748 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Arapaho
Arapaho is located near 1 notable water body. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Arapaho
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARAPAHO | OK3002004 | 748 | SWP |
How Arapaho compares
Full Oklahoma rankings →Arapaho's score of 85.4/100 is above the average of 45/100 among major Oklahoma cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Oklahoma rankings →About Arapaho, OK
Wikipedia →Arapaho is a town in and the county seat of Custer County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 668 at the time of the 2020 census. The town lies long U.S. Route 183 and is named for the Arapaho Native American tribe.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Arapaho's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Custer
Frequently asked questions
Is Arapaho, OK tap water safe to drink?
Arapaho's water quality earned a grade of A- (85.4/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #47 out of 358 cities tested in Oklahoma.
What contaminants are in Arapaho's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 20 violations are on record.
How is Arapaho'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 Arapaho?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Arapaho's water come from?
Arapaho's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 748 residents.
What health violations has Arapaho's water system had?
Arapaho has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in April 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.
How does Arapaho's water compare to other cities?
Arapaho ranks #47 out of 358 cities in Oklahoma (better than 87% of state cities) and #5358 out of 15744 cities nationally (66th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Arapaho's small water system affect quality?
Arapaho's system serves approximately 748 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 20 violations on record.