01The verdict: is Elmore City water safe?
Elmore City's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (86/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,863 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
3 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 3.1 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓A flood-prone service area
5 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Elmore City's drinking water received a grade of A- (86 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,863 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 3.1 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 68 violations on record, including 31 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
Elmore City ranks #39 out of 357 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, Elmore City may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Elmore City's water
Every contaminant flagged in Elmore City, 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.
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. | 3.1 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Oklahoma
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Oklahoma
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Elmore City'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 68 violations on record, including 31 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Elmore City.
▲ Up 3.1 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 3.1 ppb (2025) — 21% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Elmore City's water comes from
Elmore City's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Purchased Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Wholesale supplier
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
1,863 people
Residents served across Elmore City's service area.
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 1,863 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELMORE CITY RW CORP | OK3002505 | 1,107 | Purchased Surface Water |
| ELMORE CITY | OK2002521 | 756 | Purchased Surface Water |
Water bodies near Elmore City
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Elmore City's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Elmore City'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.
Flood & storm history
5 federal disaster declarations on record for Garvin County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Elmore City compares
Scores for nearby Oklahoma cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Oklahoma average (45/100)
Elmore City scores 86/100 — above the Oklahoma average of 45/100. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities. Full Oklahoma rankings →
38.6 / 100DTulsa, OK
48.5 / 100FBroken Arrow, OK
43.9 / 100FNorman, OK
38.4 / 100FLawton, OK
44.4 / 100FEdmond, OK
34.9 / 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 Elmore City's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Elmore City's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
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 Elmore City 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 Elmore City, OK tap water safe to drink?
Elmore City's water quality earned a grade of A- (86/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #39 out of 357 cities tested in Oklahoma.
What contaminants are in Elmore City's water?
Lead was measured at 3.1 ppb (90th percentile). 68 violations are on record.
How is Elmore 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 Elmore City?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Elmore City's water come from?
Elmore City's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,863 residents.
What health violations has Elmore City's water system had?
Elmore City has 31 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in June 2016. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 3 violations remain unresolved.
How does Elmore City's water compare to other cities?
Elmore City ranks #39 out of 357 cities in Oklahoma (better than 89% of state cities) and #4956 out of 15382 cities nationally (68th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.