Is Parowan, UT Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D+, with 34 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
50/100
waterverge.com Parowan, UT — Water Quality Report
Parowan's drinking water received a grade of D+ (50 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 4,352 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 2.4 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 676 violations on record, including 20 health-based violations. 34 remain unresolved.
What to know about Parowan's water
Parowan ranks #135 out of 177 cities in Utah for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.
Parowan 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.
The system has seen 16 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Parowan, UT water safe to drink?
Parowan's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D+ (50/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 4,352 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Parowan
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Parowan's water quality assessment. Grade: D+ (50/100).
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS, Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4752). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
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 Parowan's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Parowan's water system has 676 total violations on record, including 20 health-based violations. 34 remain unresolved. 16 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Iron County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters 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.
Where does Parowan's water come from?
Parowan's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 3 water systems serving approximately 4,352 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Parowan residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Parowan's water.
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.
Parowan'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.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtIron 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.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Iron County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters since 2005. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
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. | 2.4 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Parowan compares by contaminant
Explore where Parowan ranks among all Utah cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Parowan's water comes from
Parowan'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 4,352 people through 3 water systems.
Water systems serving Parowan
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAROWAN CITY WATER SYSTEM | UTAH11010 | 3,000 | GW |
| BRIAN HEAD TOWN WATER SYSTEM | UTAH11001 | 1,038 | GW |
| HARMONY FARMS WATER USERS | UTAH27079 | 314 | GW |
How Parowan compares
Full Utah rankings →Parowan's score of 50/100 is on par with the average of 50/100 among major Utah cities. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Utah rankings →About Parowan, UT
Wikipedia →Parowan is a city in and the county seat of Iron County, Utah, United States. The population was 2,996 at the 2020 census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Parowan's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Iron
Frequently asked questions
Is Parowan, UT tap water safe to drink?
Parowan's water quality earned a grade of D+ (50/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #135 out of 177 cities tested in Utah.
What contaminants are in Parowan's water?
Lead was measured at 2.4 ppb (90th percentile). 676 violations are on record.
How is Parowan'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 Parowan?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Parowan's water come from?
Parowan's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 4,352 residents.
What health violations has Parowan's water system had?
Parowan has 20 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 34 violations remain unresolved.
Is Parowan's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Parowan 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 676 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 Parowan's water compare to other cities?
Parowan ranks #135 out of 177 cities in Utah (better than 24% of state cities) and #13072 out of 15744 cities nationally (17th percentile). The grade of D+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.