Is Boise City, OK Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D+, with 4 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
52/100
waterverge.com Boise City, OK — Water Quality Report
Boise City's drinking water received a grade of D+ (52 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,483 residents using groundwater.
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 138 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.
What to know about Boise City's water
Boise City ranks #186 out of 358 cities in Oklahoma for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
Boise City 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, Boise City may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 65 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Boise City, OK water safe to drink?
Boise City's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D+ (52/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,483 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Boise City
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Boise City's water quality assessment. Grade: D+ (52/100).
1 health-based. Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, 1,1,2-Trichloroethane.
Contaminants: Xylenes, Total, DICHLOROMETHANE, o-Dichlorobenzene.
Contaminants: Xylenes, Total, p-Dichlorobenzene, Vinyl chloride.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3219). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Boise City's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Boise City's water system has 138 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved. 65 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Cimarron County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Boise City's water come from?
Boise City's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,483 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Boise City residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Boise City'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
D3 — extreme droughtCimarron 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
Cimarron County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. 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 Boise City compares by contaminant
Explore where Boise City ranks among all Oklahoma cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Boise City's water comes from
Boise City'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 1,483 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Boise City
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOISE CITY PWA | OK2001303 | 1,483 | GW |
How Boise City compares
Full Oklahoma rankings →Boise City's score of 52/100 is above the average of 45/100 among major Oklahoma cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Oklahoma rankings →About Boise City, OK
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Boise City's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Cimarron
Frequently asked questions
Is Boise City, OK tap water safe to drink?
Boise City's water quality earned a grade of D+ (52/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #186 out of 358 cities tested in Oklahoma.
What contaminants are in Boise City's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 138 violations are on record.
How is Boise City'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 Boise City?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Boise City's water come from?
Boise City's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,483 residents.
What health violations has Boise City's water system had?
Boise City has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 4 violations remain unresolved.
Is Boise City's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Boise City 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 138 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 Boise City's water compare to other cities?
Boise City ranks #186 out of 358 cities in Oklahoma (better than 48% of state cities) and #12820 out of 15744 cities nationally (19th percentile). The grade of D+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Boise City's small water system affect quality?
Boise City's system serves approximately 1,483 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 138 violations on record.