Is Union City, OK Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D, with 5 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
49/100
Union City, OK — Water Quality Report
Union City's drinking water received a grade of D (49 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 618 residents using gup.
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 39 violations on record, including 24 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.
What to know about Union City's water
Union City ranks #247 out of 358 cities in Oklahoma for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
As a small community water system, Union City may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 22 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Union City, OK water safe to drink?
Union City's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (49/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 618 residents using gup.
Recent water quality updates for Union City
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Union City's water quality assessment. Grade: D (49/100).
2 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.
Contaminants: TTHM.
2 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3219). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-794). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Union City's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Union City's water system has 39 total violations on record, including 24 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved. 22 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Canadian County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1974. 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 Union City's water come from?
Union City's drinking water comes from gup, supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 618 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Union City residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Union City'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.
Union City'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
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Union City
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Union City, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
DEXTER AXLE EL RENO, OK73036 | — | — | 7.9 mi |
GEMINI COATINGS INC EL RENO, OK73036 | — | — | 8.2 mi |
PILOT THOMAS LOGISTICS LLC - EL RENO EL RENO, OK73036 | — | — | 7.6 mi |
CHISHOLM TRAIL GAS COMPLEX TUTTLE, OK73089 | — | — | 8.7 mi |
GENERAL SHALE BRICK INC. - PLANT 49 UNION CITY, OK73090 | — | — | 3.1 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtCanadian 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
Canadian County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1974. 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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Union City compares by contaminant
Explore where Union City ranks among all Oklahoma cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Union City's water comes from
Union City's water comes from groundwater under the direct influence of surface water, a designation that requires the same treatment rigor as surface water systems.
This source type is vulnerable to both surface contamination pathways and naturally occurring underground contaminants.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 618 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Union City
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNION CITY | OK3000909 | 618 | GUP |
How Union City compares
Full Oklahoma rankings →Union City's score of 49/100 is on par with the average of 45/100 among major Oklahoma cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Oklahoma rankings →About Union City, OK
Wikipedia →Union City is a town in Canadian County, Oklahoma, United States. As of the 2020 census, Union City had a population of 1,794. It is part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan statistical area.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Union City's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Canadian
Frequently asked questions
Is Union City, OK tap water safe to drink?
Union City's water quality earned a grade of D (49/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #247 out of 358 cities tested in Oklahoma.
What contaminants are in Union City's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 39 violations are on record.
How is Union City'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 Union City?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Union City's water come from?
Union City's water is sourced from GUP. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 618 residents.
What health violations has Union City's water system had?
Union City has 24 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 5 violations remain unresolved.
How does Union City's water compare to other cities?
Union City ranks #247 out of 358 cities in Oklahoma (better than 31% of state cities) and #13382 out of 15744 cities nationally (15th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Union City's small water system affect quality?
Union City's system serves approximately 618 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 39 violations on record.