Is Covington, OK Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+, with 3 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
81.2/100
waterverge.com Covington, OK — Water Quality Report
Covington's drinking water received a grade of B+ (81.2 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 553 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 6.7 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 14 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 3 remain unresolved.
What to know about Covington's water
Covington ranks #75 out of 358 cities in Oklahoma for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Covington purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.
While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection.
As a small community water system, Covington may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 6 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Covington, OK water safe to drink?
Covington's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (81.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 553 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Covington
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Covington's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (81.2/100).
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3219). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-778). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Covington's water supply.
Within EPA limits but above the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended level of 1 ppb. An NSF 53-certified filter provides additional protection.
Violation history
Covington's water system has 14 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 3 remain unresolved. 6 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Garfield County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters since 1973. 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 Covington's water come from?
Covington's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 553 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Covington residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Covington'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.
Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.
Covington'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
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtGarfield 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
Garfield County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters since 1973. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in Covington's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.
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. | 6.7 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Covington compares by contaminant
Explore where Covington ranks among all Oklahoma cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Covington's water comes from
Covington purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Covington'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 553 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Covington
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| COVINGTON | OK3002419 | 553 | GWP |
How Covington compares
Full Oklahoma rankings →Covington's score of 81.2/100 is above the average of 45/100 among major Oklahoma cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Oklahoma rankings →About Covington, OK
Wikipedia →Covington is a town in Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 477 at the 2020 census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Covington's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Garfield
Frequently asked questions
Is Covington, OK tap water safe to drink?
Covington's water quality earned a grade of B+ (81.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #75 out of 358 cities tested in Oklahoma.
What contaminants are in Covington's water?
Lead was measured at 6.7 ppb (90th percentile). 14 violations are on record.
How is Covington'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 Covington?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Covington's water come from?
Covington's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 553 residents.
What health violations has Covington's water system had?
Covington has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 3 violations remain unresolved.
Is Covington's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Covington 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 14 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 Covington's water compare to other cities?
Covington ranks #75 out of 358 cities in Oklahoma (better than 79% of state cities) and #7577 out of 15744 cities nationally (52th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Covington's small water system affect quality?
Covington's system serves approximately 553 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 14 violations on record.