WaterVerge

Is Newton, UT Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A-, with 9 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

810 residents served 1 water system PWSID: UTAH03013
Overall Score
86.5 / 100
Violations
9 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#41 of 177 in Utah Top 30% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
86.5/100
waterverge.com
A- 86.5/100

Newton, UT — Water Quality Report

Newton's drinking water received a grade of A- (86.5 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 810 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 1.5 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 104 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 9 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Newton's water

Newton ranks #41 out of 177 cities in Utah for water quality, placing it above average in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
86.5 out of 100 Grade A-
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 1.5 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 Newton, UT water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Newton's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (86.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 810 residents using groundwater (wells).

9
Active Violations
1.5 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
4 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Newton

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Newton's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (86.5/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Nitrate.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: E. COLI.

Disaster
SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4311). 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 Newton's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.5 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Newton's water system has 104 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 9 remain unresolved.

OtherMRTT
Most recent violations:
Jul 2019 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Oct 2018 Nitrate Resolved
Jul 2018 E. COLI Open
Jan 2018 Nitrate Resolved
Oct 2017 Revised Total Coliform Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Cache County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1986. 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 Cub River, Bear River, Summit Creek.

SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4311
FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4011
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Coastal Storm FEMA DR-3223

Where does Newton's water come from?

Newton's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 810 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Cub River (river), Bear River (river), Summit Creek (river).

What Newton residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Newton'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
1.5 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 10% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

104
Total violations
1
Health-based
9
Active / unresolved
Jul 2019
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

104 Total
9 Active
1 Health-based
95 Resolved
6 SNC
Violations by category
Inorganic Chemicals
34
Volatile Organic Chemicals
21
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
10
Nitrate Rule
7
Surface Water Treatment Rule
6
Jul 2019 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2018 Active
E. COLI
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2017 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2015 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Jan 2011 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 2004 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2003 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 1997 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Oct 2018 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2018
Jan 2018 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2018
Jun 2017 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2017
May 2017 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 2017
Apr 2017 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Apr 2017
Mar 2017 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2017
Feb 2017 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Feb 2017
Jan 2017 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2017
Jan 2017 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2017
Jan 2017 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jan 2017
Apr 2016 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2016
Showing 20 of 104 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Newton

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Newton, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
BAICOR
Chemicals · BRANDT CONSOLIDATED INC
LOGAN, UT84321
9.8 mi
GENEVA ROCK PRODUCTS INC. - LOGAN
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · CLYDE COS INC
LOGAN, UT84321
9.6 mi
SCHREIBER FOODS INC.
Food · SCHREIBER FOODS INC
SMITHFIELD, UT84335
5.2 mi
PARAGON MEDICAL
Miscellaneous Manufacturing · PARAGON MEDICAL
SMITHFIELD, UT84335
8.5 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D2 — severe drought

Cache County is currently in D2 (severe 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.

6
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
25.5%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
6
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

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

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

4
Declared disasters
Apr 2017
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Cache County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1986. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Apr 2017
SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4311
Aug 2011
FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4011
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Coastal Storm FEMA #3223
Mar 1986
HEAVY RAINS, SNOWMELT & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #760

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.5 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 2.5 ppb from 1993 (4.0 ppb) to 2023 (1.5 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
810
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Newton's water comes from

Groundwater

Newton'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 810 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Newton

Newton is located near 3 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Cub River
river
Bear River
river
Summit Creek
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Newton

System Name PWSID Population Source
NEWTON TOWN WATER SYSTEM UTAH03013 810 GW
Regional Comparison

How Newton compares

Full Utah rankings →

Newton's score of 86.5/100 is above the average of 50/100 among major Utah cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Newton (this city)
86.5
Orem
40.7
Sandy
39.5
Lehi
44.9
Utah avg
50
City Profile

About Newton, UT

Wikipedia →

Newton is a town in Cache County, Utah, United States. It was founded in 1869 by pioneers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The population was 899 at the 2020 census. It is included in the Logan, Utah-Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Economic Profile
$79,375
Median Income
$314,638
Median Home Value
$628/mo
Median Rent
1.2%
Unemployment
Community
29.2
Median Age
405
People / sq mi
26%
College Educated
87.8%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Newton, UT tap water safe to drink?

Newton's water quality earned a grade of A- (86.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #41 out of 177 cities tested in Utah.

What contaminants are in Newton's water?

Lead was measured at 1.5 ppb (90th percentile). 104 violations are on record.

How is Newton'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 Newton?

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

Where does Newton's water come from?

Newton's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 810 residents.

What health violations has Newton's water system had?

Newton has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2019. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 9 violations remain unresolved.

Is Newton's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Newton 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 104 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 Newton's water compare to other cities?

Newton ranks #41 out of 177 cities in Utah (better than 77% of state cities) and #4688 out of 15744 cities nationally (70th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Newton's small water system affect quality?

Newton's system serves approximately 810 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 104 violations on record.