WaterVerge

Is Salina, UT Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A-, with 4 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: UTAH21014
Overall Score
89.7 / 100
Violations
4 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#21 of 177 in Utah Top 17% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
89.7/100
waterverge.com
A- 89.7/100

Salina, UT — Water Quality Report

Salina's drinking water received a grade of A- (89.7 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,100 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 66 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Salina's water

Salina ranks #21 out of 177 cities in Utah for water quality, placing it above average in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
89.7 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
39.7/45
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
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Salina, UT water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Salina's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (89.7/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,100 residents using groundwater (wells).

4
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
5 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Salina

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Salina's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (89.7/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
3 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U, Radium-228, Radium-226.

Disaster
FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4011). 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 Salina's water supply.

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

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Salina's water system has 66 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.

OtherMRMON
Most recent violations:
Jul 2022 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2020 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jan 2018 Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U Resolved
Jan 2018 Radium-228 Resolved
Jan 2018 Radium-226 Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Sevier County has experienced 5 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.

FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4011
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Coastal Storm FEMA DR-3223
FLOODING AND LANDSLIDES
Flood FEMA DR-1598

Where does Salina's water come from?

Salina's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,100 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Salina residents can do

Install a water filter

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

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

Violation summary

66
Total violations
0
Health-based
4
Active / unresolved
Jul 2022
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

66 Total
4 Active
0 Health-based
62 Resolved
Violations by category
Volatile Organic Chemicals
21
Inorganic Chemicals
17
Radionuclides and Revised Rad Rule
8
Nitrate Rule
5
Surface Water Treatment Rule
3
Jul 2022 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2020 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2011 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2018 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2018
Jan 2018 Resolved
Radium-228
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2018
Jan 2018 Resolved
Radium-226
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2018
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
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jan 2017
Jun 2016 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Jun 2016
Jan 2012 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2012
Jul 2010 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2010
Jul 2010 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2010
Jan 2007 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2007
Jan 2006 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2006
Jan 2003 Resolved
Radium-226
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2005
Jan 2003 Resolved
Radium-228
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2005
Jan 2003 Resolved
Combined Uranium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2005
Jan 2003 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2005
Showing 20 of 66 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Salina

Industrial polluters nearby

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

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
US GYPSUM CO SIGURD UTAH
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · USG CORP
SIGURD, UT84657
8.7 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Sevier 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

5
Declared disasters
Aug 2011
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Sevier County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1983. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Aug 2011
FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4011
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Coastal Storm FEMA #3223
Aug 2005
FLOODING AND LANDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #1598
Aug 1984
SEVERE STORMS, MUDSLIDES, LANDSLIDES & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #720
Apr 1983
SEVERE STORMS, LANDSLIDES & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #680

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 2023 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
2,100
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Salina's water comes from

Groundwater

Salina'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 2,100 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Salina

System Name PWSID Population Source
SALINA CITY WATER SYSTEM UTAH21014 2,100 GW
Regional Comparison

How Salina compares

Full Utah rankings →

Salina's score of 89.7/100 is above the average of 50/100 among major Utah cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Salina (this city)
89.7
Orem
40.7
Sandy
39.5
Lehi
44.9
Utah avg
50
City Profile

About Salina, UT

Wikipedia →

Salina is a city in Sevier County, Utah, United States. The population was 2,660 at the 2020 census.

Economic Profile
$61,742
Median Income
$234,113
Median Home Value
$794/mo
Median Rent
10%
Unemployment
Community
36.8
Median Age
165
People / sq mi
16.2%
College Educated
74.9%
Homeownership
Share this reportHelp others learn about their water quality
WhatsAppXFacebookLinkedInEmail

Frequently asked questions

Is Salina, UT tap water safe to drink?

Salina's water quality earned a grade of A- (89.7/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #21 out of 177 cities tested in Utah.

What contaminants are in Salina's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 66 violations are on record.

How is Salina'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 Salina?

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

Where does Salina's water come from?

Salina's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,100 residents.

Is Salina's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Salina 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 66 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 Salina's water compare to other cities?

Salina ranks #21 out of 177 cities in Utah (better than 88% of state cities) and #2657 out of 15744 cities nationally (83th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Salina's small water system affect quality?

Salina's system serves approximately 2,100 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 66 violations on record.