01The verdict: is Monticello water safe?
Monticello's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of F (33/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 4 water systems serve approximately 2,733 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Lead is over its legal limit
Measured at 49.0 ppb against the EPA Action Level of 15 ppb. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓Monitoring is on schedule
The system is meeting its EPA monitoring and reporting requirements — testing is happening when it should.
See the score ↓55 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Monticello's drinking water received a grade of F (33 out of 100), indicating failing water quality. The city's 4 water systems serve approximately 2,733 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 49.0 ppb (90th percentile), which exceeds the EPA action level of 15 ppb. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 826 violations on record, including 15 health-based violations. 34 remain unresolved.
Monticello ranks #177 out of 177 cities in Utah for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated 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. Lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb, which typically indicates aging lead service lines or lead solder in the distribution system. An NSF 53-certified filter is strongly recommended for drinking and cooking water. As a small community water system, Monticello may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 55 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Monticello's water
Every contaminant flagged in Monticello, 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.
Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 15 ppb
Exceeds the EPA action level. Lead enters at the service line, not the treatment plant — your address matters more than the city average. Lead service line replacement and an NSF 53-certified point-of-use filter are recommended.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. | 49.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Utah
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Utah
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Monticello'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 826 violations on record, including 15 health-based violations. 34 remain unresolved.
1 of the last ten years was clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▲ Up 46 ppb since 1993. The latest reading (49 ppb, 2024) is over the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Monticello's water comes from
Monticello's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Local treatment
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
4 systems
4 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
2,733 people
Residents served across Monticello'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 2,733 people through 4 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| MONTICELLO CITY | UTAH19004 | 2,393 | Surface Water |
| ROCKLAND RANCH | UTAH19077 | 175 | Groundwater |
| EASTLAND SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICT | UTAH19013 | 90 | Groundwater |
| PACK CREEK WATER COMPANY | UTAH19064 | 75 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Monticello
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Monticello's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Monticello'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
1 federal disaster declaration on record for San Juan County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Superfund proximity
1 National Priorities List site within 10 miles. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.
Drought
San Juan County is in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Monticello compares
Scores for nearby Utah cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Utah average (50/100)
Monticello scores 33/100 — below the Utah average of 50/100. Full Utah rankings →
35.3 / 100CWest Jordan, UT
65.1 / 100FOrem, UT
40.7 / 100FSandy, UT
39.5 / 100FLehi, UT
44.9 / 100DEagle Mountain, UT
46.9 / 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 Monticello's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF 53-certified pitcher or under-sink filter. Lead level (49.0 ppb) exceeds the EPA action level of 15 ppb
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 Monticello alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Monticello, UT tap water safe to drink?
Monticello's water quality earned a grade of F (33/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #177 out of 177 cities tested in Utah.
What contaminants are in Monticello's water?
Lead was measured at 49.0 ppb (90th percentile). 826 violations are on record.
How is Monticello'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 Monticello?
Yes — lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb. We recommend an NSF 53-certified filter or reverse osmosis system. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Monticello's water come from?
Monticello's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 4 water systems serving approximately 2,733 residents.
What health violations has Monticello's water system had?
Monticello has 15 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in September 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 34 violations remain unresolved.
How does Monticello's water compare to other cities?
Monticello ranks #177 out of 177 cities in Utah (better than 0% of state cities) and #15267 out of 15382 cities nationally (1th percentile). The grade of F reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.