Is Boley, OK Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D+, with 25 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
52/100
waterverge.com Boley, OK — Water Quality Report
Boley's drinking water received a grade of D+ (52 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,000 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 2.0 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 697 violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 25 remain unresolved.
What to know about Boley's water
Boley ranks #187 out of 358 cities in Oklahoma for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
Boley 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, Boley may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 593 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Boley, OK water safe to drink?
Boley'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 1,000 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Boley
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Boley's water quality assessment. Grade: D+ (52/100).
Contaminants: Picloram, Dinoseb, Carbofuran.
Contaminants: Endrin, Dalapon, Diquat.
Contaminants: BHC-GAMMA, Methoxychlor, Toxaphene.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-1754). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
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 Boley's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Boley's water system has 697 total violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 25 remain unresolved. 593 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Okfuskee County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1974. 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 Boley's water come from?
Boley's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,000 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Boley residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Boley'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.
Boley'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 Boley
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Boley, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
SCISSORTAIL ENGRY L/PADEN PLT PADEN, OK74860 | — | — | 5.8 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D1 — moderate droughtOkfuskee County is currently in D1 (moderate 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
Okfuskee County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1974. 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. | 2.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Boley compares by contaminant
Explore where Boley ranks among all Oklahoma cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Boley's water comes from
Boley'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 1,000 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Boley
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| OKFUSKEE CO. RWD #1 (BOLEY) | OK2005402 | 1,000 | GW |
How Boley compares
Full Oklahoma rankings →Boley'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 Boley, OK
Wikipedia →Boley is a town in Okfuskee County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,091 at the 2020 Census. Boley was incorporated in 1905 as a predominantly Black pioneer town with persons having Native American ancestry among its citizens. Of the 50 identifiable Black towns established in Oklahoma between 1865 to 1920, Boley is one of only 13 still in existence.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Boley's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Okfuskee
Frequently asked questions
Is Boley, OK tap water safe to drink?
Boley's water quality earned a grade of D+ (52/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #187 out of 358 cities tested in Oklahoma.
What contaminants are in Boley's water?
Lead was measured at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile). 697 violations are on record.
How is Boley'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 Boley?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Boley's water come from?
Boley's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,000 residents.
What health violations has Boley's water system had?
Boley has 6 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. 25 violations remain unresolved.
Is Boley's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Boley 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 697 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 Boley's water compare to other cities?
Boley ranks #187 out of 358 cities in Oklahoma (better than 48% of state cities) and #12829 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 Boley's small water system affect quality?
Boley's system serves approximately 1,000 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 697 violations on record.