Is Gans, 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 ↓
77.5/100
waterverge.com Gans, OK — Water Quality Report
Gans's drinking water received a grade of B (77.5 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 600 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 40 violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
What to know about Gans's water
Gans ranks #93 out of 358 cities in Oklahoma for water quality, placing it mid-range 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, Gans may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 9 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Gans, OK water safe to drink?
Gans's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (77.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 600 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Gans
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Gans's water quality assessment. Grade: B (77.5/100).
1 health-based. Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Contaminants: Chlorine.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3411). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-1754). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Gans's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Gans's water system has 40 total violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved. 9 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Sequoyah County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1972. 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 Gans's water come from?
Gans's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 600 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Gans residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Gans'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.
Gans'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 Gans
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Gans, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
OK FOODS - MULDROW MULDROW, OK74948 | — | — | 6.4 mi |
SHENG LONG POWER TRAIN SALLISAW, OK74955 | — | — | 6.7 mi |
AVIAGEN FEED PROCESSING UNIT SALLISAW, OK74955 | — | — | 8.1 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D1 — moderate droughtSequoyah 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
Sequoyah County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1972. 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 Gans compares by contaminant
Explore where Gans ranks among all Oklahoma cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Gans's water comes from
Gans'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 600 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Gans
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GANS UTILITY AUTHORITY | OK3006802 | 600 | SWP |
How Gans compares
Full Oklahoma rankings →Gans's score of 77.5/100 is above the average of 45/100 among major Oklahoma cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Oklahoma rankings →About Gans, OK
Wikipedia →Gans is a town in Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, United States. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma metropolitan statistical area. As of the 2020 census, Gans had a population of 251.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Gans's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Sequoyah
Frequently asked questions
Is Gans, OK tap water safe to drink?
Gans's water quality earned a grade of B (77.5/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #93 out of 358 cities tested in Oklahoma.
What contaminants are in Gans's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 40 violations are on record.
How is Gans'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 Gans?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Gans's water come from?
Gans's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 600 residents.
What health violations has Gans's water system had?
Gans has 6 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. 3 violations remain unresolved.
How does Gans's water compare to other cities?
Gans ranks #93 out of 358 cities in Oklahoma (better than 74% of state cities) and #8992 out of 15744 cities nationally (43th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Gans's small water system affect quality?
Gans's system serves approximately 600 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 40 violations on record.