WaterVerge

Is Panguitch, UT Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B+, with 11 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: UTAH09007
Overall Score
84.2 / 100
Violations
11 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#56 of 177 in Utah Top 39% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
84.2/100
waterverge.com
B+ 84.2/100

Panguitch, UT — Water Quality Report

Panguitch's drinking water received a grade of B+ (84.2 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,800 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 0.7 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 0 health-based violations. 11 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Panguitch's water

Panguitch ranks #56 out of 177 cities in Utah for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
84.2 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
34.2/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.7 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 Panguitch, UT water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Panguitch's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (84.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,800 residents using groundwater (wells).

11
Active Violations
0.7 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
3 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Panguitch

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Panguitch's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (84.2/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Disaster
SEVERE WINTER STORM AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-1955). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

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 Panguitch's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.7 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Panguitch's water system has 104 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 11 remain unresolved. 4 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

OtherMR
Most recent violations:
Oct 2024 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2024 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Dec 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Aug 2021 E. COLI Open
Apr 2020 Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Garfield County has experienced 3 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.

SEVERE WINTER STORM AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-1955
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Coastal Storm FEMA DR-3223
SEVERE STORMS, LANDSLIDES & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-680

Where does Panguitch's water come from?

Panguitch's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,800 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Panguitch residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Panguitch'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
0.7 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 5% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

104
Total violations
0
Health-based
11
Active / unresolved
Oct 2024
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

104 Total
11 Active
0 Health-based
93 Resolved
Violations by category
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
48
Inorganic Chemicals
17
Nitrate Rule
9
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
6
Total Coliform Rule
6
Oct 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Dec 2021 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Aug 2021 Active
E. COLI
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Nov 2019 Active
E. COLI
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2019 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2017 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2011 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2010 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 2006 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Apr 2020 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2020
Apr 2020 Resolved
Radium-226
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2020
Apr 2020 Resolved
Radium-228
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2020
Jul 2014 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2014
Apr 2014 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2014
Jan 2014 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2014
Jul 2011 Resolved
Simazine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2011
Jul 2011 Resolved
Picloram
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2011
Jul 2011 Resolved
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2011
Showing 20 of 104 violations
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Garfield 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)
32.3%
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

3
Declared disasters
Feb 2011
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Garfield County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters since 1983. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Feb 2011
SEVERE WINTER STORM AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #1955
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Coastal Storm FEMA #3223
Apr 1983
SEVERE STORMS, LANDSLIDES & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #680

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.7 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 2.3 ppb from 1993 (3.0 ppb) to 2024 (0.7 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Panguitch compares by contaminant

Explore where Panguitch ranks among all Utah cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,800
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Panguitch's water comes from

Groundwater

Panguitch'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 1,800 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Panguitch

System Name PWSID Population Source
PANGUITCH CITY WATER SYSTEM UTAH09007 1,800 GW
Regional Comparison

How Panguitch compares

Full Utah rankings →

Panguitch's score of 84.2/100 is above the average of 50/100 among major Utah cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Panguitch (this city)
84.2
Orem
40.7
Sandy
39.5
Lehi
44.9
Utah avg
50
City Profile

About Panguitch, UT

Economic Profile
$64,886
Median Income
$223,406
Median Home Value
$791/mo
Median Rent
6.1%
Unemployment
Community
33.2
Median Age
204
People / sq mi
21.3%
College Educated
80%
Homeownership
Share this reportHelp others learn about their water quality
WhatsAppXFacebookLinkedInEmail

Frequently asked questions

Is Panguitch, UT tap water safe to drink?

Panguitch's water quality earned a grade of B+ (84.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #56 out of 177 cities tested in Utah.

What contaminants are in Panguitch's water?

Lead was measured at 0.7 ppb (90th percentile). 104 violations are on record.

How is Panguitch'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 Panguitch?

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

Where does Panguitch's water come from?

Panguitch's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,800 residents.

Is Panguitch's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Panguitch 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 Panguitch's water compare to other cities?

Panguitch ranks #56 out of 177 cities in Utah (better than 68% of state cities) and #6049 out of 15744 cities nationally (62th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Panguitch's small water system affect quality?

Panguitch's system serves approximately 1,800 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.