WaterVerge

Is Heber, UT Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded D — but Copper was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓

749 residents served 2 water systems PWSID: UTAH26005
Overall Score
46 / 100
Violations
22 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#156 of 177 in Utah Top 90% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
DGRADE
Water Quality Grade
46/100
waterverge.com
D 46/100

Heber, UT — Water Quality Report

Heber's drinking water received a grade of D (46 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 749 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 0.9 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 434 violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 22 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Heber's water

Heber ranks #156 out of 177 cities in Utah for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.

Heber 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, Heber may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

The system has seen 56 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
46 out of 100 Grade D
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
0/45
F
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
16/20
B
Lead at 0.9 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Heber, UT water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Heber's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (46/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 749 residents using groundwater (wells).

22
Active Violations
0.9 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
7 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Heber

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Heber's water quality assessment. Grade: D (46/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Violation
21 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: DICHLOROMETHANE, o-Dichlorobenzene, p-Dichlorobenzene.

Disaster
FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4752). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4011). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Heber's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.9 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Copper Exceeds Limit
Detected: 2.07 mg/L Limit: 1.3 mg/L (EPA Action Level)

Exceeds EPA action level. Copper can leach from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking.

Violation history

Heber's water system has 434 total violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 22 remain unresolved. 56 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MRMONOtherTTMCL
Most recent violations:
Dec 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Open
May 2025 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Apr 2025 DICHLOROMETHANE Resolved
Apr 2025 o-Dichlorobenzene Resolved
Apr 2025 p-Dichlorobenzene Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Wasatch County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1983. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Provo River, Provo Riv, Snake Creek, Daniels Creek.

FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4752
FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4011
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Coastal Storm FEMA DR-3223

Where does Heber's water come from?

Heber's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 749 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Provo River (river), Provo Riv (river), Snake Creek (river), Daniels Creek (river).

What Heber residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Heber's water.

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Monitor alerts during storms

Heber'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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.9 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 6% of limit
Safe Level
Copper (90th percentile)
Inorganic
Over Limit
2.07 mg/L
EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L · +20% over limit
Exceeds Limit
Compliance Record

Violation summary

434
Total violations
6
Health-based
22
Active / unresolved
Dec 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

434 Total
22 Active
6 Health-based
412 Resolved
2 SNC
Violations by category
Volatile Organic Chemicals
168
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
102
Inorganic Chemicals
64
Total Coliform Rule
28
Radionuclides and Revised Rad Rule
17
Dec 2025 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2022 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Aug 2019 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Oct 2018 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2018 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2017 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2017 Active
E. COLI
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2016 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Sep 2016 Active
E. COLI
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Feb 2015 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Jan 2013 Active
E. COLI
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 2011 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 1998 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 1997 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 1997 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 1996 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Showing 20 of 434 violations
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Wasatch 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.

14
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
29.4%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
14
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

7
Declared disasters
Dec 2023
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Wasatch County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1983. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Dec 2023
FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4752
Aug 2011
FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4011
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Coastal Storm FEMA #3223
Aug 2005
FLOODING AND LANDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #1598
Mar 1986
HEAVY RAINS, SNOWMELT & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #760
Aug 1984
SEVERE STORMS, MUDSLIDES, LANDSLIDES & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #720

Recommended water filters

Based on contaminants detected in Heber's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.

🔧
For Copper
Reverse Osmosis or KDF Filter
Copper exceeds the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.9 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Copper (90th percentile) 2.07 1.3 mg/L Inorganic Over Limit
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 2.2 ppb from 1993 (4.0 ppb) to 2025 (1.8 ppb).

Copper level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L
Copper has increased by 0.699 mg/L from 2003 (1.375 mg/L) to 2021 (2.074 mg/L).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
749
Water Systems
2
Water Source

Where Heber's water comes from

Groundwater

Heber'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 749 people through 2 water systems.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Heber

Heber is located near 4 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Provo River
river
Provo Riv
river
Snake Creek
river
Daniels Creek
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Heber

System Name PWSID Population Source
DANIEL MUNICIPAL WATER UTAH26005 559 GW
STORM HAVEN RESIDENTS UTAH26023 190 GW
Regional Comparison

How Heber compares

Full Utah rankings →

Heber's score of 46/100 is on par with the average of 50/100 among major Utah cities. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities.

Heber (this city)
46
Orem
40.7
Sandy
39.5
Lehi
44.9
Utah avg
50
City Profile

About Heber, UT

Economic Profile
$98,934
Median Income
$488,697
Median Home Value
$1,415/mo
Median Rent
2.9%
Unemployment
Community
28.7
Median Age
279
People / sq mi
41.5%
College Educated
78.2%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Heber, UT tap water safe to drink?

Heber's water quality earned a grade of D (46/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #156 out of 177 cities tested in Utah.

What contaminants are in Heber's water?

Lead was measured at 0.9 ppb (90th percentile). 434 violations are on record.

How is Heber'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 Heber?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Heber's water come from?

Heber's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 749 residents.

What health violations has Heber's water system had?

Heber has 6 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 22 violations remain unresolved.

Is Heber's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Heber 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 434 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 Heber's water compare to other cities?

Heber ranks #156 out of 177 cities in Utah (better than 12% of state cities) and #14077 out of 15744 cities nationally (11th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.