WaterVerge

Is Loa, UT Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B+, with 14 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

840 residents served 2 water systems PWSID: UTAH28004
Overall Score
83.5 / 100
Violations
14 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#60 of 177 in Utah Top 41% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
83.5/100
waterverge.com
B+ 83.5/100

Loa, UT — Water Quality Report

Loa's drinking water received a grade of B+ (83.5 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 840 residents using groundwater.

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 69 violations on record, including 11 health-based violations. 14 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Loa's water

Loa ranks #60 out of 177 cities in Utah for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
83.5 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
36.5/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Loa, UT water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Loa's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (83.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 840 residents using groundwater (wells).

14
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
1 event
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Loa

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Loa's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (83.5/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Arsenic.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Nitrate.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3223). Coastal Storm event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Loa's water system has 69 total violations on record, including 11 health-based violations. 14 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MROtherMONRPTMCL
Most recent violations:
Mar 2022 Arsenic Resolved
Jul 2021 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jan 2020 Nitrate Resolved
Dec 2019 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jul 2018 Consumer Confidence Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Wayne County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. 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 Fremont River.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Coastal Storm FEMA DR-3223

Where does Loa's water come from?

Loa's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 840 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Fremont River (river).

What Loa residents can do

Install a water filter

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

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
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

69
Total violations
11
Health-based
14
Active / unresolved
Mar 2022
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

69 Total
14 Active
11 Health-based
55 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
18
Inorganic Chemicals
18
Arsenic Rule
10
Lead and Copper Rule
6
Nitrate Rule
5
Jul 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Dec 2019 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2018 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2017 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2017 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2016 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jun 2016 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Oct 2014 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2012 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2010 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2010 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 1997 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Mar 2022 Resolved
Arsenic
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2022
Jan 2020 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2020
Jun 2017 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Jun 2017
Jan 2017 Resolved
Radium-226
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2017
Jan 2017 Resolved
Radium-228
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2017
Jan 2017 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2017
Showing 20 of 69 violations
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Wayne 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)
24.0%
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

1
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Coastal Storm
Most common type

Wayne County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Coastal Storm FEMA #3223

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 3.0 ppb from 1993 (3.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
840
Water Systems
2
Water Source

Where Loa's water comes from

Groundwater

Loa'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 840 people through 2 water systems.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Loa

Loa is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Fremont River
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Loa

System Name PWSID Population Source
LOA TOWN WATER SYSTEM UTAH28004 490 GW
FREMONT WATERWORKS CO UTAH28002 350 GW
Regional Comparison

How Loa compares

Full Utah rankings →

Loa's score of 83.5/100 is above the average of 50/100 among major Utah cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Loa (this city)
83.5
Orem
40.7
Sandy
39.5
Lehi
44.9
Utah avg
50
City Profile

About Loa, UT

Wikipedia →

Loa is a town in, and the county seat of, Wayne County, Utah, United States, along State Route 24. The population was 516 at the 2020 census.

Economic Profile
$69,063
Median Income
$795/mo
Median Rent
0%
Unemployment
Community
27.8
Median Age
242
People / sq mi
18.9%
College Educated
74.5%
Homeownership
Share this reportHelp others learn about their water quality
WhatsAppXFacebookLinkedInEmail

Frequently asked questions

Is Loa, UT tap water safe to drink?

Loa's water quality earned a grade of B+ (83.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #60 out of 177 cities tested in Utah.

What contaminants are in Loa's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 69 violations are on record.

How is Loa'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 Loa?

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

Where does Loa's water come from?

Loa's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 840 residents.

What health violations has Loa's water system had?

Loa has 11 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in March 2022. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 14 violations remain unresolved.

Is Loa's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Loa 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 69 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 Loa's water compare to other cities?

Loa ranks #60 out of 177 cities in Utah (better than 66% of state cities) and #6418 out of 15744 cities nationally (59th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.